Performed live on April 12th, 2024 as part of Christopher Keach's second Doctoral Recital.

Five Sketches by Stacey Brown

I. Playful

II. Scurrying

III. Wistful

IV. Mellifluous

V. Noble-Impish

Christopher Keach, trumpet

Program Notes:

"Composer, educator, and translator Stacey Brown, originally from Kamloops BC, is newly based in St. John's, Newfoundland after two decades in Montreal. An Associate Composer of the Canadian Music Centre, adjunct professor of music, and published French-English translator, Stacey Brown has also served as Vice-President of both the Canadian League of Composers and the Canadian New Music Network. She holds degrees in composition from the University of Victoria (BMUS) and the Université de Montréal (DMUS; MMUS), and in translation from Concordia University (GrDip).

About the work, Brown writes 'I fell in love with the trumpet while writing these five sketches. My own instrument is the piano, and when I began writing for other instruments, I first had to learn to think beyond the keyboard and my own two hands. This piece came out of a conversation with professor Michael Longton at the University of Victoria, who suggested writing a solo work for an instrument of my choosing, to focus on a single instrument and its unique characteristics. I chose to write a series of short sketches to showcase snapshots of the trumpet's different "personalities". So, what started out, in 1999, as a way of exploring the possibilities of an instrument with which I was somewhat less familiar, developed into an ever-increasing appreciation of the trumpet’s timbral and dynamic range. It was the piece that eventually led to writing a trumpet concerto 20 years later. The colours of the trumpet are so rich and varied, and I’m thrilled every time someone makes this piece their own! Thanks to Christopher Keach for programming this work, and for reaching out to me about it. I can’t wait to hear your interpretation!'

In this work, you will hear the trumpet explore five different personalities: Playful, Scurrying, Wistful, Mellifluous, and Noble/Impish. The piece begins with a light, and bouncy character, shown through the syncopated and lively melody. The second movement uses a jazzy style and rhythmic feel to depict a character who is scampering around. Movement three, Wistful, portrays a character who is longing; calling out to a loved one. The fourth movement is song-like and portrays a character who is sweet and mellow. This is shown through the beautiful melody and freedom of time within this movement. Noble/Impish represents a character of noble descent who is a little mischievous. This movement shows the two personas this character portrays: the noble, respectable heir to the throne as well as the young prankish child."