RELEASED: Oct. 3, 2002

DANVILLE, KY—Laurence Bitensky, assistant professor of music at Centre College, was one of only three composers recognized for the 22nd annual ASCAP Foundation Rudolf Nissim Award. He received recognition for his orchestral piece a perfect rest.

The Nissim jury, comprised of distinguished conductors, honored Bitensky with a Special Distinction mention, one of only two composers to share this award. Two-hundred and forty-five composers submitted scores for consideration for this award presented by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Bitensky's piece was first performed as the featured orchestral premiere at the 2001 "Born in America Festival" in Boca Raton, Fla., by the Harid Conservatory Philharmonia Orchestra under the direction of veteran new-music conductor Arthur Weisberg. As a result of the Nissim Award, the piece will be performed in the spring by the Princeton Symphony Orechestra under the direction of Mark Laycock, associate conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra.

Bitensky also received a 2002-03 ASCAP Standard Award granted by an independent panel and based upon the unique prestige value of a composer's catalog of original work.

This past summer Bitensky's concerto for trumpet and wind ensemble, Awake, You Sleepers!, premiered at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Manchester, England, featuring Chicago Symphony trumpeter John Hagstrom. The work is to be performed in July 2003 in Sweden at the annual conference of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles and will be featured on an upcoming CD by the Syracuse University Wind Ensemble.

Bitensky, composer and pianist, teaches composition, music theory, musicianship, world music and piano. He received a B.M. in piano performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, a M.M. in composition from Ithaca College, and a D.M.A. in composition from Cornell University.

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