Suzanne DuBois Dawson *

"2003 has been a year of shifting the focus from instrumental composition to the art of song writing. Both areas are a love. The songs Wise Blue Eyes and She Shines were each written about and for personal friends. One brought tears and the other brought shivers and a beaming smile. Is this what it's really all about? It's so satisfying and provocative to give a gift that moves someone you love. I hope to complete several songs that have already been started and then return to the instrumental composing as the summer of 2004 approaches. The piano performance was a break-through event since I did not perform at the piano for 12 years due to debilitating arthritis. Although not a favorite, the Fantasy Impromptu was quite accessible, since its execution requires complete fluidity and relaxation, a perfect starting combination for arthritic hands. Better than any pain medication a doctor could have prescribed! I now believe I will be able to perform my own compositions, something I thought was a thing of the past."

Premieres

The composer performed the following new works during 2002 and 2003: Peace Be Your Pillow, children's Christmas song for voice and guitar, December 2002; Wise Blue Eyes, folk song for voice and guitar, February 2003; Turning Point, solo guitar, June 2003; and She Shines, progressive alternative/pop song for voice and piano, September 2003.

Recordings

She Shines, Deep in the Night, and He Loves Me were recorded in October 2003 for workshop and promotional purposes.

*Sigma Alpha Iota Member