Jenni Brandon’s “The Sequoia Trio” performed at multiple venues by The Solidago Trio. The Solidago Trio is a newly established reed trio, consisting of Dr. Thomas Pappas, oboe; Dr. Lori Baruth, clarinet; and Dr. David Oyen, bassoon. They have performed together for the past few years as colleagues at Morehead State University and decided to form a professional trio the summer of 2019. Morehead State University is located at 150 University Blvd., Morehead, KY 40351. Telephone number is 1-800-585-6781.
The performances for “The Spider Suite” are:
2020
February 6, 3:45PM – Recital @ Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference, Louisville, KY. Program: Milhaud Suite d’Après Corrette, Jacob Trio, Jenni Brandon The Sequoia Trio
January 25, 3:00PM – Recital @ Lexington Central Library, Lexington, KY. Program: Milhaud Suite d’Après Corrette, Jacob Trio, Jenni Brandon The Sequoia Trio, Auric Trio
January 17, 8:00PM – Special Concert for 2020 KMEA District 8 All-District Band @ Boyd County High School Auditorium, Ashland, KY. Program: Milhaud Suite d’Après Corrette, Jacob Trio, Jenni Brandon The Sequoia Trio
2019
September 15, 3:00PM – Recital @ Morehead State University. Program: Ibert Cinq Pièces en Trio, Milhaud Suite d’Après Corrette, Jacob Trio, Jenni Brandon The Sequoia Trio
Jenni said “I had returned from a trip to Sequoia National Park in July of 2008 and was inspired by the great trees. I knew that these would be the basis for the new work, and in searching for a voice of these great trees I turned to the words of John Muir for inspiration.”
Each movement of the six movements of The Sequoia Trio (oboe, clarinet, bassoon sheet music)takes a quote about Sequoia trees from John Muir’s book The Yosemite and uses it to inspire the music. The opening waving pattern creates the gentle breeze as the growth of the tree starts in the bassoon, moving through the clarinet and is carried all the way to the top of the tree through the oboe. Movement two is sassy and jazzy, describing the kind of resilient attitude that young trees must maintain in order to survive. “The Three Graces” plays on the idea of the three instruments in the ensemble and Muir’s own reference to Greek mythology. Finally, in “The Noble Trees” the instruments play a hymn-like tribute to the largest living things on earth. The two “Tree Interludes” represent the individual voice of a tree and its story.
This piece was written during Jenni’s composer residency with the Vientos Trio during 2008-2009.
Buy “The Sequoia Trio” at this link. Jenni’s website is (https://jennibrandon.com).