Trio No. 1 (2020)

Program Notes

The piccolo is often found in larger ensembles. It covers the upper range for most orchestras or concert bands, often playing during the loud sections or areas using a large range. You rarely hear the lower range of the piccolo, which produces a hollow and haunting, yet beautiful sound. As a flute and piccolo player myself, I

Program Notes

The piccolo is often found in larger ensembles. It covers the upper range for most orchestras or concert bands, often playing during the loud sections or areas using a large range. You rarely hear the lower range of the piccolo, which produces a hollow and haunting, yet beautiful sound. As a flute and piccolo player myself, I wanted to write a piece that explored the full range of the piccolo. Trio No. 1 was created just for this reason. Movement I explores the lower end of the piccolo, as well as using some modern techniques to explore some truly haunting colors. Movement II is fast paced and frantic, often having the players explore the upper range of the piccolo and playing At close intervals to create dissonance. Movement III explores both the upper and lower registers. The movement opens with a chorale that also has interludes of extended techniques on the piccolo that create tones outside of the western tuning. The second half is a more moving version of the chorale that has a more hopeful beauty to it. Movement IV is very similar to Movement I but recalls some elements from the inner two movements. The piece ends as the piccolos fade away into silence.