School of Music
U N C G
GAIL ROBERTSON, EUPHONIUM
&
STACY BAKER, TUBA
In Symbiosis with
Alex Thio, piano
&
Deborah Eastwood, cornet & flugelhorn
Thursday, October 29, 2009
7:30 PM
UNCG School of Music Recital Hall
*program to be selected from the following:
“Au fond du temple saint” Georges Bizet (1838-1875)
Temple Duet from The Pearl Fishers arr. Gail Robertson
Ave Maria, Op. 52, No. 6 Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
arr. Susan Slaughter
Cats in the Kitchen Phillip Bimstein (b. 1947)
1. Eggs and Toast
2. O Sole Meow
3. Whereʼs Your Mouse, McGee?
"Cats in the Kitchen is scored for euphonium, tuba, meows, purrs, cracked eggs, sliced
onions, buttered toast, sizzling skillets, spoons, knives, pepper grinder, toaster oven, pots,
pans, draining dishwater, and pretty much everything else in the kitchen ʻsync.ʼ The sound
score also features feline duets and trios, cat food crunches, waterdrums, and the
composer's partner Charlotte Bell speaking to her beloved cat, Fiona McGee, who sadly
passed on shortly after this piece was composed. Cats in the Kitchen was originally
commissioned for oboist Michele Fiala and flutist Heidi Pintner.” – Phillip Bimstein
“Dio che nell'alma infondere” from Don Carlo Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
trans. by Joe Kreines
The Harmonious Blacksmiths George Frederick Handel (1685-1759)
arr. Gail Robertson/Alex Thio (piano)
I Got Your Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
arr. Chris Sharp
“I Got Your Bach is an adaptation of J.S. Bach's Two-Part Invention, No. 4, originally
intended for the keyboard. Over the years instrumentalists have since discovered that these
exercises make delightful duets for pairs of like or unlike instruments. This version goes a
step farther, taking the piece temporarily into the realm of jazz, adding a swing
interpretation with improvisation-like passages accompanied by quarter note ʻwalkingʼ bass
lines that are shared by both players. This allows the musicians the opportunity to display
their command of the two diversely opposed styles. After the jazz flirtations in the middle of
the number, the stoic dignity of the original composition returns to close the piece.
– Chris Sharp
Intrada Brian Balmages (b. 1975)
"Intrada is a short fanfare-style work that is based mostly on rhythmic pulse and a type of
ʻminimalist interplayʼ between the euphonium and tuba. Despite its short length, it follows a
very specific form, which includes six sections: theme, development, transitional material,
recapitulation, transitional material (variation on previous transitional material), and coda.
Brief episodes in the transitions hint at minimalism, but the overall form prevents them from
being overly developed." – Brian Balmages
“Let these among themselves contest” Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
from Ode for St. Ceciliaʼs Day (1692) trans. Joe Kreines
Orlando Lakes Christopher Marshall (b. 1956)
1. Eola Stroll
2. Lotus Trail
“On arrival in Orlando in 2006, one of the first things that struck me was the great number
of lakes and the huge variation in their size and character. It would be hard to find a more
contrasting pair than Eola and Lotus. Lake Eola, in the heart of downtown Orlando, boasts
a large illuminated fountain. Yet it also features an extraordinary richness of bird and other
animal life – a thriving natural world unperturbed by the constant procession of humanity –
joggers, picnickers, office workers and buskers – in such close proximity.
Lake Lotus is named for the native plant whose leaves cover much of the water's surface.
Here nature seems wary of human intrusion. Forest creatures appear furtively and
disappear in a flash. Large alligators briefly break the water's surface before sinking back
into the green depths. The bird life keeps its distance also. Nature reveals its untamed
beauty. The musical themes of Orlando Lakes actually came to mind while visiting Lake
Eola and Lake Lotus respectively and so they are a record of my feelings towards these
two unique locations. – Christopher Marshall
Pavane, Op. 50/Whisper of Angels (by Amy Sky) Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)
arr. Gail Robertson/Alex Thio (piano)
The Prayer Carole Bayer Sager (b. 1947)/David Foster (b. 1949)
arr. Gail Robertson/Alex Thio (piano)
Symbiosis Chris Sharp (b. 1959)
"Symbiosis is defined as, ʻA relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.ʼ In this
composition, the symbiotic entities are the euphonium and tuba, with the piano providing
the harmonic ʻenvironment.ʼ The dependence of the entities is reflected in the identical
rhythmic movements that often occur. The distinction between the entities is established
through a variety of devices including parallel motion, inverted intervals and periods of
question-and-answer dialogue. Though a tonal center of ʻFʼ is employed, the vertical
chordal structures (which often employ jazz harmonies) are used texturally, rather than in
conventional harmonic progressions. The technical and range requirements for each solo
instrument are comparable, suggesting a ʻseparate but equalʼ relationship." – Chris Sharp
Three Florida Orchids T.O. Sterrett (b. 1953)
I. Wild Coco orchid: Eulophia alta
II. Night Fragrance orchid: Epidendrum nocturnum
III. Water Spider orchid: Habenaria repens
"Three Florida Orchids presents a variety of musical moods: raucous rhythm & blues;
pensive tranquility; and playful mischief. These match more the names than the
appearances of the orchids in question. In the first movement – Wild Coco – the euphonium
and tuba are hot-dogging for pure fun. The second movement – Night Fragrance – gives
them a chance to show off melodic beauty, and the last movement - Water Spider – is an
opportunity to romp and play. Three Florida Orchids was commissioned by DEG Music
Products/Willson USA for Gail Robertson.” – T.O. Sterrett
“Viens, Mallika, les lianes en fleurs" Léo Delibes (1836-1891)
Flower Duet from Lakmé arr. Gail Robertson
SYMBIOSISDUO formed in 2007 to increase awareness of the tuba/euphonium duo as a
performance medium and to promote and disseminate new works for this unique
combination of instruments. The duo chose the name “SYMBIOSISDUO” from the concert
duet of that name written for them by composer Chris Sharp. In the program notes for the
work he writes: “Symbiosis is defined as, ʻA relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.ʼ
The technical and range-requirements for each solo instrument are comparable, suggesting
a ʻseparate but equalʼ relationship.” This is an innovative and challenging approach to duet
writing for tuba and euphonium producing ʻthe symbiosis effectʼ as the tuba is not relegated
to an accompanying role, but is equal in all aspects of music with the other voice in the duo,
the euphonium.
For more information about, SYMBIOSISDUO, visit symbiosisduo.com
Stacy Baker is Professor of Music - Tuba/Euphonium at Morehead State University in
Morehead, Kentucky. Originally from Harsenʼs Island, MI, she received her M.M. and B.M.
degrees from the University of Michigan. She holds a D.M.A. from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Baker has toured and recorded throughout the United States and Europe as a founding
member of the tuba/euphonium quartet JUNCTION, and with the Lexington Brass Band
and Monarch Brass Ensemble. She is a member of the Athena Brass Band and the
Horizon Brass Quintet. Dr. Baker serves on the International Womenʼs Brass Conference
Board of Directors. Her teachers include Jeff Funderburk, Wes Jacobs, Tommy Johnson,
Fritz Kaenzig, and Mark Moore.
Gail Robertson is Instructor of Euphonium and Tuba at The University of Central Florida.
Originally from Pompano Beach, FL, she received her B.M. degree from the University of
Central Florida and her M.M. degree with Performerʼs Certificate from Indiana University.
Ms. Robertson was a founding member/leader/chief arranger of Walt Disney Worldʼs
“Tubafours” tuba/euphonium quartet. She has toured and recorded in the U.S. and
internationally with Keith Brionʼs “New Sousa Band,” the Brass Band of Battle Creek,
SYMPHONIA, Euphoniums Unlimited, and Monarch Brass. She is President of the
International Womenʼs Brass Conference. Ms. Robertson is a York Brass International
Euphonium Artist performing on a York Eminence YO-EU4052 with a Warburton/Gail
Robertson mouthpiece.
Alex Thio is a collaborative pianist based in Cincinnati, OH. A native of Singapore, Mr. Thio
received his B.S. degree from Grace College. He earned his M.M. degree at the University
of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and continues to pursue his D.M.A. degree at
the conservatory. He serves as choral accompanist to the Sycamore Junior High and High
School choirs in Blue Ash, OH, and is a private piano instructor offering piano and music
theory instruction to students of all ages and performance levels.
Deborah Eastwood is Instructor of Music at Morehead State University, Morehead, KY.
Originally from Wytheville, VA, she earned her B.M. degree from James Madison
University, M.M. degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music-John Hopkins University,
and D.M.A. degree from the University of Illinois. Dr. Eastwood has toured and recorded as
a member of the Athena Brass Band, the Lexington Brass Band, and the Horizon Brass
Quintet.
