Gary Powel Nash - Do Not Leave Me and Vanquish

Biography

Gary Powell Nash

Gary Powell Nash, a native of Flint, Michigan is Associate Professor of Music at Fisk University in Nashville, TN where he teaches and coordinates courses in music theory, technology, composition, applied woodwinds and conducts the Fisk Jazz Ensemble.  Nash holds a Ph.D. in Music Composition from Michigan State University.  

As a composer of Western classical music, Nash has composed musical works for orchestra, band/wind ensemble, choir, art songs (four in Chinese), electroacoustic works and instrumental chamber compositions, including two short film scores.  His music has been performed in all major regions of the United States and abroad on the continents of Asia and Europe.

Nash has received numerous grants, commissions and awards for his compositions including the 2007 UNCF/Mellon Foundation Faculty Seminar in Ghana.  Others include Tennessee Music Teachers Association Composer of the Year, 2005-6, Mississippi Arts Commission, American Composers Forum, Carnegie Hall and Fulbright, where he was Visiting Professor of Music Composition at University of the Philippines-Diliman, May 30, 2000 - March 28, 2001.  Nash’s scores are published by Art of Sound Music, MusicaNeo and Tuba/Euphonium Press.  11 of his compositions are featured on compact disc with five of those appearing on Albany, Centaur and Citadel Records labels.

Do Not Leave Me and Vanquish

(by the composer himself)

Do Not Leave Me and Vanquish is based on and inspired by a poem 

titled “My Love, Do Not Leave Me and Depart”  

The author of this poem is a native of Egypt 

and Nash chose to incorporate Egyptian/Arabic melodies and rhythms. 

 Do Not Leave Me and Vanquish, a medium-fast tempoed composition, 

utilizes a C minor mode and septuple meter (4/4 followed by 3/4).