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Fanfares

UBC student compositions performed live to welcome audiences, commissioned by the Chan Centre.

Chan Centre at UBC · "Pepper" by Leslie Opatril

Pepper

sharp spice
famous fiery fruit
(save your sweet specimens)
pepper prudently to fleck with flair

Leslie Opatril

An alumna of the Victoria Conservatory of Music and Camosun College, Leslie Opatril holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Ottawa and is completing her Master of Music in composition at the University of British Columbia. Her works has been performed by the Sidney Classical Orchestra (Sidney, BC), the North/South Chamber Orchestra (New York, NY), and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. She is currently studying composition with Jocelyn Morlock.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Matheus Moraes, Candice Newberry, Ray Wu, Andrea Norman, Takumi Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. View the performance here.

Fanfare on We Shall Overcome

Guided by the title of the show for which this fanfare was written, Walker uses the civil rights anthem ‘We Shall Overcome’ as the primary source material for his composition. The piece opens in an excited mix of time signatures. A series of chords built on rising fourths eventually reveal themselves to be an expanded and elaborated version of the anthem. The middle section opens into a lush chorale-like setting which brings the melody into clear focus. Just as the choral reaches a final cadence, the opening material sweeps back in and brings the fanfare to a close.

Walker Williams

Walker Williams is an eclectic composer from rural West Virginia, whose compositional style runs the gamut from conservative tonality to avant-garde performance art. Walker holds a BA in music composition from Shepherd University in West Virginia and an MMus in composition from UBC where he is currently pursuing doctoral studies. His compositions have been performed throughout Europe and North America.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Matheus Moraes, Candice Newberry, Ray Wu, Andrea Norman, Takumi Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. View the performance here.

Brazil

“Brazil” (for brass quintet) takes inspiration from the bossa nova of Brazil.

Greg Andersen

Greg Andersen is a composer and pianist currently studying composition at the University of British Columbia. Prior to attending UBC, he studied jazz piano at Capilano University. Anderson maintains a balanced musical diet, writing and performing jazz, classical, and film music.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Matheus Moraes, Candice Newberry, Ray Wu, Andrea Norman, Takumi Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. View the performance here.

The Steps I Didn’t Take

After a tough year, the mind seems to ruminate more than usual: What could have been done better? What steps did we miss? What opportunities? This piece translates the familiar rhythmic anxiousness of these repeated questions into lush, brass jazz harmonies packed in tasty rhythmic pockets. There is an ironic humor to the piece’s rabbit holes: harmonies and melodies wander, yet always return to a familiar groove. Rumination and urgency contrast with laid back rhythm and melody as an acceptance of what is, as is.

Mariah J.E. Mennie

Mariah J.E. Mennie is an emerging composer whose creative explorations include sound sculpting, percussion, piano, vocals, fire dancing, and music education. Her compositions have been performed at the ISCM World New Music Days, the VSO New Music Festival, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and the Invermere Waterfront Festival. She has collaborated with Redshift Music Society, Hard Rubber Orchestra, West Coast Orchestra, and Plastic Acid Orchestra. She holds a diploma in piano performance (VCC), a BMus with a major in composition (UBC), and is currently completing her master’s degree in music composition at UBC.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Matheus Moraes, Candice Newberry, Ray Wu, Andrea Norman, Takumi Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. View the performance here.

Pallas Loredo

Pallas Loredo is a Vancouver-based composer currently completing a master’s degree in composition at the University of British Columbia. Her compositional style is influenced by the manipulation of musical fragments.

Se va enredando, enredando

Chilean singer Violetta Parra wrote “Volver a los 17” (“To Be 17 Again”) in the 1960s, and it continues to be a beloved song across Latin America and beyond even today. The title “Se va enredando, enredando” refers to Parra’s lyric that compares her feelings to ivy entangling itself on a wall. To musically represent this image, the melody is fragmented and intertwined with the rest of the music.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Matheus Moraes, Candice Newberry, Ray Wu, Andrea Norman, Takumi Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. View the performance here.

Maggie Lu

Currently completing her studies at the University of British Columbia, Maggie is a composer and pianist inspired by a diverse range of genres. Her original music has reached an impressive half a million listeners and her works have been performed at Roy Barnett Hall, Pyatt Hall, and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. She enjoys composing contemporary classical music as well as scores for film.

Resilience

“Resilience” explores the concepts of perseverance and strength, developed through synergetic harmonic, melodic, and textural relationships between the instruments. The piece’s intervallic language is organized around the perfect fourth, which unfolds as the motivic backbone of the work.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Matheus Moraes, Candice Newberry, Ray Wu, Andrea Norman, Takumi Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. View the performance here.

Ben Ledochowski

A proud dual Canadian-American citizen born and raised in San Jose, California, Ben Ledochowski has been composing contemporary classical music since age 14. As a second-year undergraduate student in the University of British Columbia’s composition program, he hopes to make a career as a composer integrating his broad compositional interests. Ben’s music is centered around emotional expression. He enjoys working with interlocking melodies, allowing listeners to key into different lines while still keeping track of the overall sound experience.

The Seabirds of Saint-Servan

“The Seabirds of Saint-Servan” is Ben’s first major piece for brass quintet. Taking its title from the picturesque French port town that dates back to the medieval era, the piece pays homage to the community brass bands that were often found in Renaissance-era towns. It is Ben’s hope that this piece will take listeners back in time to this age gone by.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Matheus Moraes, Candice Newberry, Ray Wu, Andrea Norman, Takumi Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. View the performance here.

Edward Herring

Edward Herring graduated with a Bachelor of Music in trumpet performance from the University of Prince Edward Island in 2018. He is currently working towards admission into the University of British Columbia’s composition program to pursue a master’s degree. His teachers have included Dr. Richard Covey (UPEI), Dr. Stephen Chatman, and Dr. Dorothy Chang (UBC).

Fanfare to the Night

“Fanfare to the Night” features a theme of leaping fourths and fifths throughout. This motif is passed between each instrument of the quintet, varying each time it occurs.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Matheus Moraes, Candice Newberry, Ray Wu, Andrea Norman, Takumi Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. View the performance here.

Michael Kirchmayer

Michael Kirchmayer is a Vancouver composer and classical guitarist currently in his third year of completing a Bachelor of Music degree in composition with a minor in music technology. He strives to compose music that is visceral and exploratory.

Fanfare for a Brass Quintet

In his “Fanfare for Brass Quintet,” Kirchmayer has written music inspired by the sustain and drone of bagpipes. He has taken this inspiration, but related it to his own simplified version of a concept known as micropolyphony, which was first conceived by composer György Sándor Ligeti.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Silas Friesen, Matheus Moraes, Kristin Ranshaw, Kevin Jackson, Takami Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of the Cristina Pato Quartet on April 11, 2019.

Leslie Opatril

An alumni of the Victoria Conservatory of Music and Camosun College, Leslie Opatril holds a BMus from the University of Ottawa and is currently completing a MMus in composition at UBC studying with Stephen Chatman. She has had works performed by the Sidney Classical Orchestra, the North/South Chamber Orchestra (New York, NY), and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Fanfare

“Fanfare” for brass quintet is an upbeat and celebratory work which employs both imitation (listen for it first in the trumpets) and alternating time signatures (3 and 4 beats per bar.) A few members of the quintet are also featured with solos.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Silas Friesen, Matheus Moraes, Kristin Ranshaw, Kevin Jackson, Takami Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Habib Koité and Bassekou Kouyaté on March 2, 2019.

Maggie Lu

Maggie Lu is a student of composition at the University of British Columbia, currently in the second year of her Bachelor’s Degree after being accepted at fourteen years of age. Her work has been premiered at the West Coast Composers Symposium and is selected for performance at the 2019 Sonic Boom Festival.

Spirit

“Spirit” explores the concepts of strength and accumulating individuality. Layered drones coupled with animated bursts develop in an interweaving relationship, embodying the gradual building of character.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Silas Friesen, Matheus Moraes, Kristin Ranshaw, Kevin Jackson, Takami Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks on February 24, 2019.

Iván Salazar González

Iván Salazar González (b. 1983) is an Ecuadorian composer, singer and guitarist currently finishing his Master of Music degree at UBC. He has released music with bands Finado Sucre and Chakana Bit, and has had works premiered in Argentina, Ecuador and Canada—including soundtracks for Coro Santa Cecilia (2005) and Cuvi Cuvi (2018). He has produced, composed music for and acted in short films and theatre, and is a published poet (El Pasado Mañana, 2012; Un Puente de Versos, 2015).

Apagón (The Outage)

Without any electricity, why am I texting you? With Afro Cuban rhythms and scouting harmonies, this piece reminds us that both the joy and despair during a huge power outage may become an opportunity to connect people with each other, and also with the deep self.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Silas Friesen, Matheus Moraes, Kristin Ranshaw, Kevin Jackson, Takami Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Bobby McFerrin: Circlesongs on February 17, 2019.

Jackson Bell

Jackson Bell is a saxophonist, drummer, and composer from Surrey, BC. He is currently completing his fourth year of general music studies at UBC, studying with Dr. Julia Nolan and Dr. Stephen Chatman.

Fanfare for a New Journey

“Fanfare for a New Journey” combines familiar idioms with unfamiliar rhythms to create a sense of uneasiness and excitement. Much of the inspiration for this piece comes from the music of Joshua Redman and his journey of taking beloved jazz traditions to newer heights.

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Silas Friesen, Matheus Moraes, Kristin Ranshaw, Kevin Jackson, Takami Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Joshua Redman: Still Dreaming on November 13, 2018.

John Stetch

Fearless and distinct, Edmonton-born pianist John Stetch pushes the edges of his jazz and classical training to fuse melodies from all around the world. He is a Steinway Artist, a six-time Juno nominee, and won the Prix Du Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Stetch recently released his 14th album, and was just awarded the Inaugural Pentland Prize in Composition.

Brassh

“Brassh is a fun and unapologetic piece to be played in a crowded lobby – I aimed to fit the flavour of the festive Goran Bregović theme of the main concert…kind of like a minor blues for brass in the Balkans.” – John Stetch

Performed by Thunderbird Brass – Silas Friesen, Matheus Moraes, Kristin Ranshaw, Kevin Jackson, Takami Hayashi. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Goran Bregovic and His Wedding and Funeral Band on October 21, 2018.

Robert Humber

Robert Humber is a Canadian composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist. His music is often built around very simple gestures and harmonies which he manipulates in imaginative ways. Robert is now completing his masters degree in music composition at UBC, studying with Dr. Stephen Chatman.

Collidoscope

Collidoscope combines three elements that are prevalent in any circus act: a sense of awe, acrobatics, and a hint of danger. Endlessly rising and falling arpeggios are interrupted by jagged, contorted rhythms. Listen closely and you will hear a very familiar Shostakovich quote hiding within the madness!

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Circa: Opus on April 28, 2018.

Mariah J.E. Mennie

Mariah J.E. Mennie is an emerging composer based in Vancouver. Also an active pianist, vocalist, arranger, drummer, fire dancer, traveler, and educator, her artistic endeavors are wide-ranging. She is currently majoring in music composition at UBC, and has collaborated with the Plastic Acid Orchestra, Vancouver New Music, the Plastic Acid Band, Redshift, Hard Rubber Orchestra, VEE, Aventa, the End Tree, the Living, Maria in the Shower, and others.

Torschlusspanik

A German word—literally meaning “gate closing panic”— Torschlusspanik is the overwhelming, frenzied feeling that time is running out; a deadline is fast approaching; life is passing you by. This groovy Latin jazz-infused saxophone quartet is characterized by its sense of urgent movement and funky “panik.”

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Dayme Arocena and Roberto Fonseca on April 15, 2018.

Carolyn A. Quick

Carolyn A. Quick is a Vancouver-based composer finishing her Masters of Music in Composition at the University of British Columbia. Since entering university in 2012, she has studied with many composers including David Crumb, Stephen Chatman, and Jocelyn Morlock, and is a student of Dorothy Chang.

Painting with Fire

This piece evokes the vivid, militaristic imagery within Sara Teasdale’s work “In a Garden.” Drawn from a line in her poem, Painting with Fire employs jazz-like syncopations and colourful harmonies to highlight the juxtaposition of the calm Connecticut hills and the clamorous soldiers that traverse them.

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of The Jazz Epistles: Abdullah Ibrahim with guest Terence Blanchard on February 18, 2018.

Aaron Graham

Aaron Graham is an award-winning performer, composer, and music educator pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of British Columbia, where he is currently a doctoral fellow. He has travelled the world playing percussion, has seen his compositions performed all over North and South America, and has had research published in several prominent publications.

Desperate Poetry

“I still believe in the need for guitars and drums and desperate poetry, and the sound that has the power to raise a temple and tear it down.” – Frank Turner

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Texas Troubadours: Ruthie Foster, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Carrie Rodriguez on November 8, 2017.

John Stetch

John Stetch pushes the edges of his jazz and classical training to fuse melodies from Mozart to Ukrainian music to pop culture anthems. Originally from Edmonton and then New York, Stetch started piano at age 19, and is now a 6-time Juno nominee who just released his 15th album this fall.

Reply All

“As a child, I played saxophone for many years, in mostly jazz and eastern European styles. When composing this piece, I wanted to feature sounds of east-meets-west, especially since it opens a concert of Dave and Zakir, two huge stars of disparate worlds.” – John Stetch

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland: Crosscurrents on October 15, 2017.

Walker Williams

Walker Williams is a composer, oboist, and singer from Morgan County, West Virginia. Walker graduated summa cum laude from Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Arts in music composition, and is currently pursuing graduate studies in composition at UBC. Walker’s compositions have been performed at events including the US National Saxophone Symposium, the West Coast Composer’s Symposium, and the Alba International Music Festival in Alba, Italy.

Prelude and Fiddle Tune in g minor

“This composition is modeled after the baroque prelude and fugue genre; instead of a traditional fugue subject, however, I used an original slip jig melody. The style of counterpoint used means that the melody and countermelody are almost always present at any moment in the music: sometimes in an obvious way, sometimes concealed under layers of other material, and occasionally in multiple voices at the same time.” – Walker Williams

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of The Gloaming on October 15, 2017.

Nova Pon

Nova Pon holds degrees from University of Calgary and University of British Columbia, and continues exploring connections within music, psychology and philosophy. Her music has been performed on four continents, and she is a recent winner of the CMC’s Emerging Composer Competition and a nominee for a Western Canadian Music Award. She is also a passionate music teacher and flutist.

Fanfarria

Fanfarria is a short piece composed to announce and celebrate the start of an exciting performance event. The fanfare takes inspiration from a taste of the immense world of flamenco, from the saxophones who bear the music, and from the composer’s own musical language.

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Max Raabe and Palast Orchester on April 9, 2017.

Katerina Gimon

Katerina Gimon is an award-winning emerging composer currently based in Vancouver where she is pursuing her Masters of Music Composition at the University of British Columbia. Her music has been performed and broadcast across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Dancing Flames

Dancing Flames evokes the vigour and curiosity of fire. The piece’s interweaving melodic lines and rhythmic energy playfully characterize fire in its many forms: from glowing embers to raging flames.

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Anda Union on March 26, 2017.

Jeff Groh

Jeff Groh studies composition under Fred Stride at the UBC School of Music, and is pursuing an honours degree in plant biology in the Faculty of Science. In addition to writing music for his peers to perform, Jeff enjoys bird watching, gardening, and distance running.

Aquilegia Love Dance

“I named this piece in honour of the breeding systems of the flowering plant genus Aquilegia, known commonly as Columbine. Through millions of years of evolution, these flowers have diversified by specializing on specific pollinators, such as bees, hummingbirds, or hawk moths in order to successfully transfer pollen between flowers of the same species.” – Jeff Groh

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Dianne Reeves on February 22, 2017.

Walker Williams

Walker Williams is a young composer from rural West Virginia. Walker graduated summa cum laude from Shepherd University with a BA in music composition, and is currently pursuing his MM in composition at UBC under the instruction of Dr. Stephen Chatman. Walker’s compositions have been performed at such events as the US National Saxophone Symposium and the Alba International Music Festival in Alba, Italy.

Tango Fanfare

This tango-inspired fanfare was written as a nod to a genre frequently utilized by vocalist Diego El Cigala. After the initial ‘fanfare’ statement, the piece moves into a fairly straightforward tango form, with a few elements borrowed from various Latin dance styles.

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Eric Toombs, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Diego El Cigala on November 20, 2016.

Harrison Kuettel

Harrison Kuettel studied music at Capilano University and is currently studying Composition at the University of British Columbia.

Angelus Novus

A large portion of Swiss painter Paul Klee’s work evidences his fascination with angels, as in his monoprint Angelus Novus. Without illustrative intent, this piece draws from general aspects of Klee’s style, such as formal balance, colour use, and flat shapes.

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Chinley Hinacay, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Mariza on November 2, 2016.

Riley Koenig

Riley Koenig is a Canadian composer living in Vancouver, BC. He recently completed his masters of music in composition and is currently working on his DMA at the University of British Columbia. Riley has spent the past few years writing music for social/casual video games in Vancouver with Power Up Audio, as well as writing for film and documentaries.

Crush

Crush, written for saxophone quartet, explores tritone relationships moving in and out of tonal frameworks.

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Chinley Hinacay, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Cecile McLorin Salvant on May 1, 2016.

Duncan Maunders

Duncan Maunders is a Vancouver-based composer of choral and instrumental music. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies from Capilano University and is currently pursuing his Masters at UBC. His music is eclectic, understated, and austere.

St. James Infirmary/Farewells

Drawing on the rich colours of jazz harmony and the plaintive, expressive quality of the saxophone quartet, Farewells is a brief meditation on the melancholy of goodbyes. It is preceded by an arrangement of St. James Infirmary, an American traditional song of disputed authorship, often attributed to Irving Mills, and made famous by Louis Armstrong in 1928.

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Alex Toa, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Dee Dee Bridgewater and Irvin Mayfield with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra on February 27, 2016.

Chelsea Forster

Chelsea Forster is a fourth year composition major at the University of British Columbia. Her pieces have been performed by the Madrigal Singers, UBC Orchestra, and many other instrumental groups as well as published by Mayfair Publishers. She aspires to achieve her Masters and her DMA in Music Composition.

You’ll Come Around

“I tried to put a twist on the classic jazzy saxophone quartet by switching up the metre, using unconventional harmonies, and giving it an overall more edgy feel. This piece is for that person in your life who just won’t listen. They’ll come around.” – Chelsea Forster

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Alex Toa, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of the Branford Marsalis Quartet on February 13, 2016.

Brian Topp

Brian Topp is a second year doctoral candidate in the DMA in Composition program at UBC. His research includes developing software and interfaces for live electronic music performance.

Quadra

This piece finds it inspiration in both the jazz roots of the saxophone as well as the works of more avant-garde composers who have written extensively for the ensemble, such as Dutch composer Jacob Ter Veldhuis. The piece moves through a series of rhythmically charged textures with small soloistic lines emerging from the ensemble.

Performed by the Azura Quartet – Chinley Hinacay, Mo Miao, Haley Heinricks, and Mia Gazley. Commissioned by the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the presentation of Carminho and Sara Tavares on November 21, 2015.