The Amiche Duo, at The International Duo Symposium, performs Jenni Brandon’s “Love Songs” Saturday, March 28, 2020, 4:30-5:20pm at the University of Montana, School of Music, 32 Campus Drive, Music Building, Missoula, MT 59812-7992 (406) 243-6880. This is the second biannual International Duo Symposium at University of Montana in collaboration with Chamber Music Montana. This conference will provide performance, networking, and educational opportunities to professional duos, composers, and students while offering unique concert experience to local residents.

The Amiche Duo features Dr. Kimberly Gratland James, Mezzo-Soprano, and Dr. Jennifer Gookin Cavanaugh, Oboe & English horn. The ensemble was created as an avenue to explore the combined, rich timbres of the voice and oboe/English horn. The Amiche Duo is passionate about commissioning and promoting new music by living composers and enjoys performing arrangements of standard repertoire from the Baroque period to present. Dr. James currently serves on the faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Dr. Cavanaugh, Yamaha Performing Artist, serves on the Faculty at the University of Montana.

“Love Songs” are the texts – translations of Native American words – Jenni chose to tell a story of the Native American woman – a story that she might tell to her child while she rocked the child to sleep. It is a story that Jenni believes can be universally understood, but points to the strength of not only the Native American woman, but to the strength of all women to persevere, to raise children and to keep community strong against all odds. It is a “love song” in that it goes beyond just romantic love but tells of love for a child and love of the land.

Love Songs for soprano and oboe was premiered at Ball State University by Aryn Day Sweeney-oboe and Yoko Shimazaki-Kilburn-soprano in March 2014.

“Love Songs” are available for purchase on Jenni’s website.