Program Notes
Mythologies (2026) is a sonata for trumpet and piano that explores archetypes, expectations, and the experiences that make us who we are. Each movement is inspired by a different Greek god or goddess, utilizing epithets ascribed to them as musical points of reflection and friction. The first movement, "Messenger," introduces Hermes as the herald of the gods, swiftly delivering news between Mount Olympus, the realm of mortals, and the underworld. The trumpet and piano traverse murky harmonic and textural territory, taking bold leaps and big chances in navigating both the villainous and the divine. The second movement, "Archer," sonically depicts the charming and at times prideful Apollo, god of music and poetry. This movement's main theme fluctuates between dance and lament as the performers attempt to balance the pastoral life of the lyre with the heroism of bows and arrows. The final movement, "Huntress," celebrates the independent and adventurous Artemis, goddess of wilderness, nature, and the hunt. The trumpet and piano musically prowl and pounce with fearless articulated figures and nimble melodic gestures. Mythologies showcases the trumpet's virtuosity and lyrical beauty, investigating the difference between how we see ourselves, how others see us, and what parts of our story might live on through time. Thank you to Marcus Grant, Matthew Vangjel, and the consortium for commissioning Mythologies and for their support of new music for trumpet.
Additional Information
I. Messenger (5')
II. Archer (4'30")
III. Huntress (3')
Mythologies Consortium Members
Ross Ahlhorn, Louisiana State University
John Aley, Emeritus Prof. of Trumpet Mead Witter School of Music University of WI-Madison
Jason Bergman, Indiana University
Andrew Bishop, Iowa State University
Mary Elizabeth Bowden, Shenandoah Conservatory
Joel Brennan
Michael S. Brown Jr., University of North Georgia
David Collins, Royal Irish Academy of Music
Louie Eckhardt, Hastings College
Tim Farrell, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Megan George, Louisiana Tech University
Kenken Gorder, Austin Chamber Music Center & Density512
Marcus Grant (Consortium Lead)
Benjamin Hay, Northeastern State University
Adrian Holton, Colorado Springs Philharmonic
Christopher Keach, Crane School of Music
Ashley Killam, AK Artist Management
John Marchiando, University of New Mexico
Max Otto Matzen, Utah State University
Joey Moore, University of Memphis
Matthew Onstad, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Jacinda Ripley, Tarleton State University
Amanda Ross, Oakland University
Brennan Rudy, University of Chicago
Raquel Samayoa, University of North Texas
Coleman Scott, Washburn University
Victoria Sewell, University of Missouri Kansas City
Fred Sienkiewicz, Vanderbilt University
Madison Sinan, The Calla Project
Hollyn Slykhuis, Chroma Collective
Charlie Smith, University of Colorado Boulder
Leilani Spurlock
Julia Stowell, University of Kentucky
Mary Thornton, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Matt Vangjel, University of Missouri-Kansas City (Consortium Lead)
Aren Van Houzen, Truman State University
Stephen M. Wadsack, Kennesaw State University
Brian Walker, University of North Texas
Alan Wenger, University of Central Missouri
Tim Wootton, Springfield Symphony Orchestra
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