Thomas Ginnona

Performers, Instrumentation: Sean Bailey (Bb Clarinet), Min Young-Kim (Violin), Thomas Kraines (Cello), Charles Abramovic (Piano)

Program Notes: Wenonah Lake is a lake in New Jersey not far from where I grew up in southeastern Pennsylvania. This piece evokes the experience of sitting by the water in the early morning, seeing the sun shine between the leaves and reflecting off of the water.

Special thanks to the performers from Network for New Music who played on this recording, Dr. Adam Silverman for his mentorship and advice during the composition of this piece, and the Wells School of Music for providing me not only with the recording of this piece but also for giving me the opportunity to compose a piece for this group.

Conductor: Hannah Redd
Performers: Emily McPherson (Piano), Joshua Benitez (Flute), Tucker Johnson (Bassoon), Brody Segan (Trombone), Bradley Mikesell (Trumpet)

Program Notes: “Tranquility Base” is a three movement work based around a five beat, descending melody. In the first movement, this melody is layered over itself to create a Shepherd’s Tone effect. In addition, the pitches in the first beat and used to create dissonant swells over the Shepherd’s Tone. The second movement is more stripped down and is based primarily off of the pitches used in the second beat of the melody. The third movement is split into five smaller parts and is based off of the pitches used in the third, fourth, and fifth beats of the melody, with the pitches used in each part being determined by which beats of the melody that pitch is featured in. The third movement both begins and ends with an ethereal atmosphere that gently floats away in the end.

Performers: Abbie Adams (Flute), Joe Greeby (Marimba)
Program Notes: Can’t I Practice In Peace? is a duet for flute and marimba in which each performer attempts to practice nearby each other. As time goes on, their practice sessions conflict, and they continually interfere with each other’s practicing to the point where they begin attempting to play over each other and overpower the other. Ultimately, each of them eventually give up practicing and storm off stage.