Student Recital Series
Sara M. Snell Music Theater
2023 – 2024 Season
Saturday,April 28th at 6:50 PM
Sasha Truax, Percussion
Sculpture in Wood (1995)
Rüdiger Pawassar (b. 1957)
Matthew Puhlman,Aidan Sherwood, Gracie Wahl, marimba
Memories (2024)
I. Remember?
Filigree (2003)
To the Earth (1985)
World Premiere
Sasha Truax (b. 2003)
Red (2008)
V. moderate, with motion
VI. fast, bombastic, red
Aidan Sherwood, marimba
Sasha Truax is from the studio of Dr. Robert Sanderl
Ruud Wiener (b. 1952)
Frederic Rzewski (1938 – 2021)
Text: Homeric Hymn
Marc Mellits (b. 1966)
Thank you so much for attending my junior recital.
It means so much to me to get to share the skills that I have built, and the music I have been working on. In addition to being a capstone of my education at Crane, this recital is also a dedication.
To all who have helped me along the way, To all who will help me in the future, To all who didn’t let me give up, Thank you.
Each individual performance in this recital is a tribute to a specific animal and time period of my life. In this program, you will find a bit more information about what each piece means to me.
With love, Sasha
Sculpture in Wood – Rüdiger Pawassar Ciera
Ciera was by my side always, in a time of my life that I can no longer remember. She was there when I needed her, as Matt, Gracie, andAidan have been with Sculpture in Wood. It seems a fitting way to vent for my childhood protector, who I didn’t get to properly mourn when she passed. ~
Memories – Sasha Truax
Mvt. I – Remember? Zuri
When selecting a piece, I could not find anything that expressed the loss and disconnection I feel. Zuri was a giant part of my life, but I don’t really remember her. I looked at piece after piece, but nothing seemed right. So, I ended up writing one.
Memories is in morse code, which I then made a system for translating into music.Adot is one sixteenth note, and a dash is three sixteenth notes, for example.
I had never really cared for horse riding/driving before I got to work with Rieka, much to the chagrin of my family. I participated and enjoyed it, but the connection I feel when working with her is on a different level. She completely channels my emotions, for better or for worse, and Filigree is representative of this connection.
Arthur, my first falconry bird, passed away without warning. It’s unknown why, which has been brutal. I care deeply about living beings, and it’s hard not to feel like I’m to blame. To The Earth helps me to show my gratitude for my experiences withArthur, and nature as a whole. I feel particularly connected to the piece when I sing, rather than speak, some of the text.
Red – Marc Mellits Phoenix
I do not have enough words to describe how grateful I am for Phoenix. He has been with me through some of the hardest periods of my life, as a steadfast companion and protector. One of the most expressive dogs I’ve ever met, his fiery disposition has stayed with him even as he ages, and it was very important to me to find a piece that reflects that. For me, playing Red is also about unity and connection, and it feels like the right piece for representing the bond I have with my best friend. I am looking forward to the years we have left.
Special thanks toAidan Sherwood- I couldn’t have done it without you.