Sondra Clark

"Since my last inclusion in the SAI Composers Update, I've experienced so many wonderful musical events. . . I've now received ASCAP Awards for three straight years. My music has received two dozen more awards. My first opera was premiered to full houses and howling ovations! Hal Leonard Corporation has become 'my publisher,' with four works released and a dozen more scheduled for publication in the next year. Last, but not least, I was so pleased to have my Benediction, which was written in memory of Patricia Farris Hennings, director of the Peninsula Women's Choir, chosen for performance in the final session of the SAI Centennial Convention last summer in Michigan."

Premieres

Two for Five was presented December 2001 by the Menlo Brass Quintet, Portola Valley, CA. Several works were first heard during 2002, including Three Northern California Landscapes, for two pianos, National Association of Composers Concert, Palo Alto (CA)Arts Center, March 2002; the chamber opera Dalmatia and Dalmatio (5 soloists, chorus, and piano trio; libretto by Sally M. Gall), Fresh Voices Festival, San Francisco, CA, July 19-21; Four Sierra Scenes by Michael Marmor, clarinet, Laurel Brobst, cello, and Marge Cassingham, piano, at an SAI recital in Saratoga, CA, October 2002; Sierra Seasons, The Blossom String Quartet, Palo Altos Arts Center, November 2002. Performances in 2003 included Three Odd Meters for two pianos, Berkeley (CA) Piano Center; Ragmate for Scott Joplin's 'Solace' for two pianos, Family Concert Series, Mountain View (CA) Performing Arts Center, February 2003; Miami Mambo, for piano four hands, Margaret Otwell and Matthew Edwards, MTNA National Convention, Salt Lake City, UT, March 2003; and Benediction for women's voices and piano, Beta Lambda Chorus, under the direction of Karen Olson and Sara Holub, SAI Centennial Convention, Dearborn, MI, August 2003.

Performances

Muir Woods for organ and piano, was presented in March 2002 by the Welch/Hancock Duo, Celebrity Concert Series, St. George, UT. Seasons of Love for soprano and piano trio, was performed in September by Helene Joseph-Weil and the Wertz Trio, Faculty Concert, CSU, Fresno, CA. In February 2003, Three Northern California Landscapes for two pianos was heard at the University of California. Three Scenes from New Orleans for piano four hands, was presented in March at the National Association of Composers Concert, Palo Alto (CA) Arts Center; and Three Odd Meters for two pianos was heard at the Performing Arts Society of Walnut Creek, CA, the same month.

Publications

Carolibet, 1-2 voices and piano; MTAC, 2001. Tarentella, Key Lime Sunset, Miami Mambo, Sarasota Circus, all for piano, four hands; and The Headless Horseman, piano solo; all by Hal Leonard.

Recordings

Three Odd Meters from Invitation to the Dance, Elaine Funaro, harpsichord. Two for Five from A Simpler Life, Menlo Brass Quintet; MBQ Recordings.

Further Information

• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1997-1998 American Composers Update
• 1996-1997 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online
• SAI's Music for Young People section