Program Notes

While I was studying at the University of Rhode Island, I had the luxury to have the flute professor Susan "Sue" Thomas as an advisor for my woodwind quintet. Under her guidance I learned countless lessons that helped me improve as a musician alongside encouragement to write and later premiere a work for the ensemble. Unfortunately, in early 2021, Sue passed away. When I was given the opportunity to write this flute miniature for Nathalie Joachim while studying at the Hartt School I knew I wanted to write a piece to honor and remember Sue. This piece often focuses on Eb and B, in reference to Sue's initials (Es and Ti) as well as extended flute techniques, such as singing and playing and whistle tones, in reference to several pieces she had performed that featured such techniques.