Introduction Welcome to this recording celebrating the music of my friends and colleagues, as well as the many creative collaborations that have made it possible! With a remarkable variety of styles and textures, I hope you will find something here that you like and that some of you might even find something you would like to perform. My primary goal with this recording is to share new music that I find exceptional with others who may enjoy it and wish to keep it alive by performing it as well. Please feel free to contact me or one of the composers about obtaining a copy of the music. Happy listening! Nat Dickey, dickey@cord.edu Biographies & Program notes Nathaniel Dickey Nathaniel Dickey is a member of the music faculty at Concordia College (Moorhead, MN), teaching trombone, euphonium and tuba and conducting the Concordia Symphonic Band. He is principal trombonist of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, trombonist of the Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome and lead trombonist of the Allen Carter Big Band. He has performed with the Iris Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Vermont Symphony and Boston Ballet. An active chamber musician, Dickey was a founding member of the Orion Trombone Quartet (winner of the Coleman Competition) and the Brass Mosaic, with which he performed at Carnegie Hall. He performs frequently as a guest soloist with university and public school ensembles and has appeared on recordings with the Iris Orchestra, Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome, the Paramount Brass, and former Boston Symphony Orchestra principal trombonist Ron Barron. In addition to the works on this recording, Dickey has commissioned and premiered works for concert band by David Avshalomov, Andrew Boysen, Jr., Stephen Paulus, Elliott Schwartz, Mark Camphouse, Carol Barnett, Mary Ellen Childs, and Allen Feinstein. He earned degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, Rice University and the University of Minnesota. His primary trombone teachers have been Tom Everett, Per Brevig, Raymond Premru, David Waters, Ron Barron, and Tom Ashworth. He studied composition with Paul Cooper. Trespass (1995) Trespass was written while I was studying composition with distinguished American composer Paul Cooper at Rice University. Cooper kindly offered me a selection of poems (of which Trespass is one) by his late wife, C. E. Cooper, on which to base the work. Following is the original text: “Trespass” by C. E. Cooper They found the great bird lying on the grass dying spread-winged by the delphiniums An eagle!
 said the youngest boy
 in white-eyed wonder 
at the broken majesty
 of death in a suburban garden The others jeered A seagull. So far from water? A seagull lost Silently 
they bent together to lift the cooling body to support the head with its purblind eyes and cruel croaking beak The man charged into them Get out! Get off my grass! As they held up the dying bird on a bier of varisized black loving hands 
he raised an angry stick They broke and ran 
dropping their offering 
and he went back into his clean white house The bird was dead He’d never even looked at it son of a bitch Arrangement of “Shenandoah” (1990) I wrote this arrangement as a college student, while on tour in Alaska with the Orion Trombone Quartet. At the time, I was listening to the Kings’ Singers frequently. This arrangement is very reminiscent of their approach to close harmony arrangements of folk songs. René Clausen René Clausen is a member of the music faculty at Concordia College. He has been the conductor of the Concordia Choir since 1986 and is the artistic director of the award-winning Concordia Christmas Concerts, which are frequently featured on PBS television stations nationwide. Clausen is a renowned composer and arranger, having written dozens of commissioned compositions, including Memorial and Crying for a Dream for the American Choral Directors Association, and Canticle of Praise written for the Kings’ Singers and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He is also a frequent guest conductor, composer and lecturer. Clausen’s compositions and arrangements are published by Roger Dean Publishing Company, Shawnee Press in the Mark Foster Catalog, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Hal Leonard, Walton and Augsburg Fortress. Lux Aeterna (2010) Lux Aeterna was written in 2010 as a commission for Peter Knudsvig and the Rekkenze Brass, which pre- miered it that summer with Cristian Ganicenco (trombone) at the Haus Marteau Music Festival in Germany. Paul Cravens Paul Cravens was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota in 1989. He studied composition with Daniel Breedon and Steven Makela at Concordia College. Writing primarily for low brass, chamber brass and concert band, Cravens is comfortable in a wide array of styles, from art song to full orchestra. His four-movement suite for large brass choir, Tetra, has enjoyed numerous performances since its premiere, including a performance by the Concordia Brass Choir for the opening ceremony of the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Most recently, the Concordia Band premiered and recorded Elegy for a Joyful Heart, commissioned in memory of the college's former president, Dr. Pamela Jolicoeur. Cravens is pursuing a Master of Arts degree in composition at University of New Hampshire. Sonatina (2010) Sonatina was written in 2010 for Obediah Bauer (trombone) and Andrew Steinberg (piano), who premiered it in that same year. The composer created a band arrangement of the piece that was premiered in 2011 by Bauer with the Concordia Symphonic Band. Steven Makela Steven Makela is a member of the music faculty at Concordia College, teaching composition, music theory, and music technology. Makela’s recent compositions include Three Songs... (2011) for soprano voice and piano with texts by Catherine Lacey, composed in collaboration with Patty Kramer; The Gardener (2011) for horn, cello, and two pianos, composed in collaboration with Katrina Holicky; Piano Sonata (2008), composed in collaboration with Jessica Narum; Three Apparitions (2007) for flutes, marimba, and electroacoustics, composed in collaboration with Sarah Antanies; and Diffractions (2007) for solo horn, string orchestra, and percussion, composed in col- laboration with Jenna Wolf. Makela earned degrees from the University of North Texas, the University of Minnesota, and Bemidji State University. His composition teachers include Martin Mailman, Joseph Klein, Jon Christopher Nelson, Paul Fetler, and Patrick Riley. Geometrics (2005) Geometrics was commissioned in 2005 and premiered that same year with the Concordia Orchestra (J. Robert Hanson, conductor). Emily Matter Emily Matter is currently serving as bassoonist with the United States Air Force Band of the West in San Antonio, Texas. Originally from St. Cloud, MN, Matter graduated in 2011 from Concordia College with a Bachelor of Music degree in instrumental music education. While at Concordia, Emily was one of the finalists for the 2008 Composer’s Concert Composition Call, which allowed her composition, The Plague, to be performed three times in the Fargo-Moorhead area. In July 2009, Emily studied composition with David Ludwig and Matthew Barnson at the Rocky Ridge Music Center in Estes Park, Colorado. Grounds of Gravity (2009) Grounds of Gravity was written in 2009 for bassoon, tuba and piano and premiered by the composer (bassoon) with Tony Boldt (tuba) and Nathan Hance (piano). Russell Peterson Russell Peterson is a member of the music faculty at Concordia College, teaching saxophone, bas- soon, and directing the Concordia Jazz Ensemble. He is an accomplished classical/jazz saxophonist, bassoonist and composer, a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony and the Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome, and a very active performer throughout northwest Minnesota. Peterson’s numerous com- positions for various instruments have received critical acclaim from Gramophone Magazine among other publications. His Trio for Flute, Saxophone and Piano was performed at the 2010 National Flute Association convention and the National North American Saxophone Alliance Convention, his Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Guitar was premiered at the 2012 World Saxophone Congress in Scotland, and he was commissioned to write a new saxophone concerto for the Thailand Symphony in 2014. Concertino (2012) Concertino for Trombone and Band was commissioned in 2012 and premiered in the winter and spring of 2013 with the high school bands of Rosemount, Minn. (Steve Olson, conductor), Kasson-Mantorville, Minn. (Tony Boldt, conductor), and Moorhead, Minn. (Pam Redlinger, conductor). Allen Carter Allen Carter is a member of the music faculty at Minnesota State University-Moorhead (Minn.), teaching music theory, drum set, and courses in the jazz studies and music industry programs. Carter has a diverse background as a composer/arranger, drummer/percussionist, and music educator. A member of ASCAP and the Film Music Network, Carter has written and arranged music for television series, commercials and documentaries, as well as extensive work for instrumental and vocal jazz groups at all levels. As a drummer/percussionist, Carter has performed with internationally renowned ensembles and artists, including the Kansas City Symphony, Los Angeles Jazz Workshop, Ray Charles, Melissa Manchester, and Harry Connick Jr. and has been involved in numerous recording sessions for records, films, and commercials. Unbridled Joy (2012) Unbridled Joy is an original tune by Allen Carter. This arrangement by the composer was commissioned in 2012 and premiered with the Allen Carter Big Band in 2013. Collaborators Production Team Producer: Jamey Lamar, Art Music Recording Engineers: Jamey Lamar, Doug Geston [tracks 3-5, 10], Bruce Egre [track 12] Designer: Linda Boyd Photographer: Gabe Haney Performers Track 1: Nat Dickey, solo trombone; Peter Knudsvig, Tom Strait, Jeremy Brekke, trumpet; Karin Wakefield, Debra Luttrell, French horn; Ed Huttlin, bass trombone; Doug Neill, tuba Track 2: Nat Dickey, trombone; Stephen Sulich, piano Tracks 3-5: Nat Dickey, solo trombone; The Concordia Orchestra: Foster Beyers, conductor
Kristen Hatfield, piccolo; Aleida Porter, John Bell, flute; Stephanie Becker, oboe; Leah Benthin, English horn; Sam Boerboom, Kenzey Ostrowski, clarinet; Brandon Salden, bass clarinet; Isaac McMahon, Brenna Frost, bassoon; Trudy Johnson, Sarah Chouinard, Michael Brossart, Lynnea Eckhoff, French horn; Allison Rognlie, Cassie Thuen, trumpet; Austin Phillips, Isaac Heath, trombone; Bryce Frentz, tuba; Ryan Schlotterback, timpani; Mitch Carlstrom, Jake Henneford, Madeline Howey, percussion; Hunter Huff Towle (concertmaster), Rachel Tisdale, Aubrey Schield, Jeremy Learn, Benjamin Ehrmantraut, Megan Broton, Ross Baumgardner, Elizabeth Tiffany, Jennifer Keibler, Kirsten Hoaby, Benjamin Wade, Michael Miller, Anja Smith, Laura Habein, Adam Domitz, Emily Donovan, Katie Black, Solveig Swenson, Kayla Tureson, Kate Snyder, Karlee Black, Mary Henning, Becky Plachy, violin; David Jensen (principal), Renee Tostengard, Rachel Aabye, Lucas Moen, Julie Regimbal, Alexandra Rasmussen, viola; Elizabeth Klingbeil (principal), Brianna Drevlow, Tessa Wakefield, Casey Hatlevoll, Samantha Hamilton, Cheryl Lussky, Bethany Tompkins, Sam Odegard, Katie LaChance, cello; Brett Drevlow (principal), Paige Wakefield, Erica Bjelland, Everett Ulvog, Michael Janning, Daniel Anderson, bass. Track 6: Holly Janz, mezzo-soprano solo; Christina Chen-Beyers, conductor; Nat Dickey, Kyle Mack, John Tesch, Ed Huttlin, trombone Tracks 7-9: Nat Dickey, euphonium; Cody Johnson, tuba; Stephen Sulich, piano Track 10: Nat Dickey solo trombone; The Concordia Band: Peter Haberman, conductor
; Stephanie Adams, Courtney Backen, Laurel DiSera, Meghan Hartokolis, Jensen Maiden, Katherine Miller, Aleida Porter, Catherine Silvers, flute; Stephanie Becker, Kirstin Kopp, Rebekah Weidenhaft, oboe; Brenna Frost, Isaac McMahon, Jasmine Schafer, bassoon; Karis Baerenwald, Samuel Boerboom, Jens Eriksen, James Hakala, Sarah Liebig, Brittany Roth, MaryEllen Saatzer, Brandon Salden, Melissa von Itter, Kelsi Wright, AnnieZacho, clarinet; Kayla Bones, Danielle Fulghum, Zach Paulsen, bass clarinet; Sarah Mason, contra-bass clarinet; Rachel Astrup, Ryan Larson, Sarah Kremer, Trevor Galligan, saxophone; Jason Aylward, Shannon Koepsell, Miles Otstot, Allison Rognlie, Jake Schmitz, Michael Schuldt, Ryan Sederquist, Cassie Thuen, trumpet; Michael Brossart, Sarah Chouinard, Lynnea Eckhoff, Libby Hiller, Marit Johnson, Trudy Johnson, Kayla Nesler, Emily Pederson, French horn; Nathan Ascheman, Cole Bartels, Emily Campbell, Tom Dukatz, Austin Phillips, Jon Sutton, trombone; Samantha Adank, Kurt Haag, Mark Switajski, euphonium; Bryce Frentz, Isaac Heath, Dan Loyas, Sean Payette, tuba; Paige Wakefield, string bass; Mitchell Carlstrom, Jacob Henneford, Madeleine Howey, Danny Kocher, Adam Kolling, Ryan Loken, Ryan Schlotterback, percussion. Track 11: Nat Dickey, Austin Phillips, John Tesch, Ed Huttlin, trombone Track 12: Nat Dickey, solo trombone. The Concordia Jazz Ensemble: Russell Peterson, conductor
Ryan Larson, Isaac McMahon, Sarah Kremer, Joe Hendrickson, Trevor Galligan, saxophone; Jason Aylward, Michael Schuldt, Ryan Sederquist, Miles Otstot, Jake Schmitz, trumpet; Pieter Majeske, Cole Bartels, Alex Heck, trombone; Sarah Mason, piano; Dane Christensen, bass; Dan Abel, guitar; Ryan Schlotterback, drum set; Eli Paul; congas. Thanks & Acknowledgements • Thanks to my family: to my wife and children, my parents and brothers, and my extended family – thank you for supporting my music-making. • Thanks to my teachers and mentors – I am so fortunate that you took an interest in me, inspired and challenged me, and taught me so much. • Thanks to the composers – without your amazing creative work, this recording would not be possible. • Thanks to the engineers, performers, and designers– it has been wonderful collaborating with you. • Thanks to my friends, colleagues and students– you inspire me and keep me excited about discovering and performing great music. • Thanks to Concordia College and Trinity Lutheran Church for allowing me to use such beautiful spaces for this recording. • Thanks to the alumni, faculty and administration of Concordia College for financial support of this project and the gift of sabbatical time to complete it. • Thanks to the citizens of Minnesota,
 the Minnesota State Legislature, the NEA, and the Minnesota State Arts Board for supporting this project through an Artist Initiative grant. Nathaniel Dickey is a fiscal year 2013 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.