Nancy Dowlin 

(1954-2007)

Click on the titles to listen to the works.

(Windows Media 128k)

Love Song Without Words

River Suite

Abbie Conant - trombone

Raman Hampel - guitar

Stepping Off

A student trombone trio at the Musikhochschule Trossingen.

(click to enlarge)

Nancy Kennan Dowlin, beloved partner, sister, daughter, aunt, and caring friend, died Friday, June 15, 2007 at her home in Newtown, PA after a long battle with breast cancer.

Born July 12, 1954 in North Wales, PA, Nancy grew up in Ambler, PA and graduated from Wissahickon High School in 1972. She received her Bachelors of Music from the New School of Music in Philadelphia where she studied under Donald McComas.

Ms. Dowlin was an accomplished professional musician, composer, and teacher. She was founder and trumpeter of Festive Brass, a member of the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra and the Pennsylvania Opera Theatre, and in 1985 she performed and recorded Respighi’s "The Pines of Rome" with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti conducting. In 2004 the American Composers Forum awarded her a Community Partners Program grant for which she composed "Rumi Reflections" for choir, harp, and three trombones, premiered by the Singing City Choir at the Philadelphia Cathedral. Her Composition Repertoire included: " Love Song Without Words" for trombone and guitar (commissioned and premiered by Abbie Conant); "River Suite" for trombone and guitar (recorded by both Debra Taylor and Abbie Conant); "Valerie's Smile" for Brass Quintet; and "Rumi Cycle of Songs" for chamber ensemble and soprano. Selected vocal works include: "Bakery Girl" (lyrics by Myra Bazzell), "Jenny's Meadow" (lyrics by Linda Shepard)," Go Now You Will", and "Holly and Me". Ms. Dowlin was also a well respected trumpet teacher mentoring many aspiring students.