2019 Q4 Review

As 2019 comes to a close, I look back on a full but challenging year. I had the opportunity to travel to many different places for performances, workshops, and more, but I also had to say farewell to my beloved cat Loki after 14 years of companionship.

The big highlight of the fall was definitely the world premiere performance and recording of Benjamin Sajo’s The Great War Sextet, for trombone and strings, which took place in Ottawa over Remembrance Day weekend. Ben’s work sets the words of six poets who served in World War I. Trombonist Felix del Tredici and the string players were all wonderful collaborators, and it’s so rewarding to bring a brand new piece of music to life.

Earlier in November, I got to share the stage with conductor-composer Johan de Meij, trombone soloists Joe Alessi and Vanessa Fralick, and the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra for their concert “Heavy Metal”. de Meij conducted his Two-Bone Concerto as well as the Symphony No. 1, “The Lord of the Rings”. (Incidentally, TYWO also called me to guest conduct the last time TYWO brought de Meij in to do the LOTR Symphony, five years ago at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.)

And more recently, Rouge River Winds premiered an arrangement of mine that is very dear to my heart. Snow Angel is an incredibly moving work for choir with piano and solo cello, as well as three actors optionally playing the angel at different stages of her life. My arrangement for band is of the outer movements only, which I think work exceptionally well for winds.