program notes by composition > f > Fiesta Del Pacifico
Fiesta Del Pacifico The composer wrote: “Fiesta del Pacifico is held in San Diego and features a play on the history of the area, a parade, a rodeo, and street dances. It is one of several festivals held annually in various communities in California that celebrate the Old Spanish Days of the State… I chose its name as representative of the spirit of those occasions.”
Roger Nixon (1921–2009) was an American composer, musician, and professor of music. Born and raised in California's Central Valley, he attended Modesto Junior College where he studied clarinet with Frank Mancini, formerly of John Philip Sousa's band. At UC Berkeley he majored in composition and received a Bachelor of Arts. His studies were interrupted by active duty in the Navy during World War II where he served as the commanding officer of a landing craft in the Atlantic.
Nixon composed over 60 pieces for orchestra, band, choir and opera. He received multiple awards and honors for his works, many of which contain a feel of the rhythms and dances of the early settlers of his native state of California.