Delta Blue

For Flute, Guitar, Violin & Cello

(6 1/2 minutes)

For my Sophomore year of college at Jacobs, I was selected to participate in the Guitar Collaboration with the composition department. We ten composers were tasked with writing new music to showcase the guitar, specifically more classically-aimed music. I had never written for guitar before, so it was a daunting challenge for February 2020. After consulting several guitarists and working closely with the extremely-talented Matthew Wherley, I finished Delta Blue. Rehearsals began soon afterwards and we were all extremely excited for the premier. Unfortunately, the concert was meant to be the day of the COVID-19 shutdown, so it was never truly premiered. Despite the circumstances, we were able to do a short recording session literally the last day of that semester. I am eternally grateful to the performers for their professionalism and commitment to my music!

I decided for this piece that I would try to merge two types of music that are not typically used together. The beginning and end sections are a type of blues, while the middle section is a more rhythmic dance. It was a challenge to transition between the two, but I am very pleased with the interaction between the music. For the name, Delta Blue, it is an homage to where I grew up in Memphis, TN, where blues lives and breathes with every type of music.

As of Fall 2020, there is a guitar concert tentatively scheduled for the Spring 2021 to premier my piece.

Unfortunately, the Spring 2021 Concert was postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic, so I have decided to officially release this recording as of June 30th, 2021.

Performers

Tierney McClure - Flute

Matthew Wherley - Guitar

Jonathan Rickert - Violin

Harrison Marable - Cello