ABOUT THE ARTIST
James Pacanowski III, Clarinet,BassClarinet
James was born on Halloween day in 2001. From the day he was born, James had a love for music. From the shows he watched to the toys he played with; James was a special and unique child. His love of music continued as he entered school and by the time he hit 4th grade he picked up his first clarinet and he was a natural. During his middle school days, he garnered skills in Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, and Tenor Saxophone. A huge accomplishment for such a young man. He was honored in 2014, 2015, and 2016 with inclusion to the “South Jersey Junior High School Band” ensembles as either first or second chair.
As James moved on to High School his love for music never wavered. As a member of Mainland Regional High School in Linwood NJ, James took full advantage of every music opportunity. He played in both Concert, ensembles, and jazz bands. Music was his passion, and he spent every day in some type of music endeavor. As a member of the Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles, James was honored to be a part of the Atlantic Cape Honor Band in 2018 and 2019. He was a member of the South Jersey Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Bands in 2018, 2019 and 2020. James was also inducted into the Tri-M Music society in 2017 and won the prestigious John Phillips Sousa Award for the best musician in 2019-2020 for his Senior Year.
James was also a member of the Mainland Regional High School Marching band where he played Tenor Saxophone. He was a proud member of the band in 2019 when the band was crowned New Jersey State and Regional Champions as well as the Atlantic Coast Champions within the Tournament of Bands. This was the first time Mainland won this award as they went undefeated during the year.
James went onto college during the height of the Covid epidemic. While he applied and was accepted to all his college choices, West Chester University was always his first choice. He jumped right into his college experience and has been a proud member of the West Chester Incomparable Marching Band each of his four years playing Tenor and Alto Saxophone. As a member of the Marching Band, James joined West Chester as they marched for the first time in the prestigious Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2024. James has also been a member of the Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Orchestra, and Student Quintet playing both Clarinet and Bass Clarinet. Every day is music to James. James is proficient in Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Baritone, and others.
In his free time, you can find James playing his instruments, going for walks on the beach or just relaxing at home with his friends or family. He enjoys watching comedy movies including his favorite movie called “SuperBad.” He is a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. It is his goal to share his passion for music with his students and to be a college professor in the future.
TonadaYCueca(1995)
Guastavino was born on April 5, 1912, in Santa Fe, Argentina to parents of Italian Descent. Music was a big part of his life from an early age. His father noticed his talent for music and took 4-year-old Carlos to study with a pianist named Esperanza Lothringer. While in school, he was introduced to the organ, which he would improvise for Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion. After High School, he perused a Chemical Engineering degree to please his parents because they were concerned that a music career might not be practical. In 1938, he was awarded a scholarship by the minister of education of Santa Fe to study composition at the Conservatorio Nacional de Musica y Arte Escenico in Buenos Aires. As a Composer, he developed a style that was originated by Argentine folk tradition. He was often compared to Spanish composers such as Manuel de Falla. His works emphasize melody and harmony through modernist experimentation. He mainly wrote works for Piano. Guastavino's music remains widely performed in Argentina and internationally, celebrated for its romantic and nationalistic character.
Tonada Y Cueca is one of his clarinets works in the late 20th century. This piece is a vibrant and expressive piece that reflects on the rich folk traditions of Argentina. The first movement Tonada, is a lyrical and melancholic song form. This movement opens with a flowing melody and lush harmonies, evoking the landscapes and emotions of rural Argentina. The second movement Cueca, is a lively dance rhythm commonly associated with Chile and western Argentina. This movement introduces a spirted, syncopated character with dynamic rhythmic interplay. Tonada y Cueca uses Guastavino’s signature style lyrical, nationalistic, and accessible. This piece offers the audience a glimpse into the soul of Argentine music through its expressive melodies and rhythmic vitality.
Daydreams(2023)
Jenni Brandon was born in 1977 in Pennsylvania She has her bachelor's degree in composition at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in music composition from the University of Texas at Austin and has pursued a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California, where she has served as an adjunct Lecturer with the School of Dramatic Arts. She is known for her beautiful and lyrical compositions. Her compositions are characterized by memorable melodies that often draw inspiration from stories of her collaborators, the natural world, and poetry. She has written extensively for chamber ensembles, choirs, and solo instruments, with a particular focus on woodwinds and vocal music. Her music highlights a distinctive style that blends contemporary techniques with accessible melodies and rich textures. Brandon is also an active conductor and collaborator, frequently working with musicians to create and refine new works. Her music is widely performed and commissioned by ensembles across the United States and internationally.
Daydreams was commissioned by Canadian clarinetist Richard Cook in 2023. Cook wanted work that was accessible for amateur clarinetists to do. Using a variety of techniques and styles to give performers a chance to explore the colors of the instrument. These movements were inspired by conversations both Brandon and Cook had while collaborating on this work. Cook, presented some great stories and ideas, including how he skated with Disney on Ice for four years in the early 1980’s with one of their first productions. As both people began to put together ideas, a story about daydreaming of movement and music began to form, and these became intertwined across the four movements. The first three movements tell stories of movement and music. “Walking: Labyrinth” follows the path of a labyrinth, turned at the center and walking back in a meditative way. In “The Figure Skater: Spinning” the skater gets bolder and bolder in their routine, falling and learning to get up again, and finding triumph in the journey. “The Singer: Bel Canto Jazz” begins with a bel canto style melody, eventually becoming jazzier and sassier as they discover their unique voice. In the last movement “Sleeping: Dreaming of the Day” these various themes return as the dreamer slips off to sleep, dreaming of their day of walking, skating, singing, and what they can become.
SonataOpus120No.1(1894)
Johannes Brahms was born in 1833 in Hamburg, Germany. He was widely recognized as one of the greatest composers of the romantic period. While in Hamburg, he showed musical talent from a young age and was mentored
by Robert Schumann, who recognized Brahms as a genius. Brahms composed in a variety of genres, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and choral works. His most famous compositions include Symphony No.1, Hungarian Dances, and “A German Requiem” just to name a few. He was also known for his deep emotional expressiveness, and masterful craftsmanship. Brahms was often seen as a successor to Beethoven. He spent much of his later life in Vienna, where he passed away in 1897.
Sonata Opus 120 No.1 was composed in 1894 during the final years of Brahms life. His first and second sonatas were written for the virtuoso clarinetist Richard Muhlfeld whose playing inspired Brahms to create these pieces. Brahms first sonata is deeply expressive and dramatic work that showcases the clarinet’s full range of colors, from warm and melancholic to bold and passionate. In “Allegro Appassionato”, this movement is passionate and stormy, featuring a restless, and driving rhythm. The clarinet introduces a sweeping, melancholic theme, while the piano provides a rich harmonic foundation. The dialogue between the instruments is intense, filled with moments of both tension and lyrical beauty. In “Andante un poco adagio”, this movement is one of the most intimate in Brahm’s late works. The clarinet sings a tender, song like melody, supported by delicate and warm harmonies in the piano.
WEIRDLITTLEPIECES(1999)
Gary Schocker is an American flutist, composer, and pianist. He is known for his contributions to flute repertoire and performance. Schocker has performed as a soloist with major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is a well-known composer, having written numerous works for flute, as well as music for other instruments and ensembles. Schocker’s compositions are known for their lyrical melodies, rhythmic vitality, and accessibility, blending elements of classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. His flute pieces, such as “Regrets and Resolutions”, “Three Dances for Two Flutes” are widely performed by flutist around the world. In addition to composing and performing, he is a respected teacher and has influenced many young musicians through his masterclasses and pedagogical works.
Weird Little Pieces features quirky, playful, and unexpected musical moments, showcasing Schocker’s signature blend of humor, lyricism, and technical flair. His compositions often explore unconventional harmonies, rhythmic twists, and engaging melodies, making them both entertaining and rewarding for performers and audiences alike. The movements are “Easygoing”, “Folksong”, “Fast”, “Sad Story”, and “Nose-Thumbing”. Each movement showcases different moods and technical aspects of the bass clarinet, offering performers an opportunity to explore a range of expressions. The piece was originally composed for the 1999 International Clarinet Association Bass Clarinet Composition Competition where it was runner-up.
Twitch(2016, 2023)
Nathan Daughtrey is an American Composer, percussionist, and educator known for his works for percussion, wind ensemble, and chamber music. His compositions blend classical, jazz, and contemporary influences, often featuring vibrant harmonies, rhythmic energy, and expressive melodies. Daughtrey has written extensively for percussion ensembles, solo percussion, and mixed chamber groups, with notable works including “Spitfire”, “Firefly’. Many of his compositions are widely performed in schools, universities, and professional ensembles. In addition to composing, Daughtrey is an accomplished performer and has served as a clinician, educator, and guest artist at numerous music festivals and institutions.
Twitchis a dynamic composition originally commissioned for solo B-flat clarinet and wind ensemble Twitch was commissioned by the DC tour & Travel for the Spring High School in Spring Texas. This ensemble was directed by Gabe Musella for a performance at the 70th Annual Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. This was performed by clarinet soloist Sasha Potemkin of the Houston Symphony and Spring High Wind Ensemble. The connecting thread for the piece ended up being an embedded clarinet quartet, so adapting this instrumentation was natural. The excitement from the beginning to end is palpable. Even in the calmer sections, fast, syncopated motives are thrown around the quartet to keep the drive alive. This piece serves as a 6-minute showcase for the clarinetist, blending syncopated rhythms with lush, romantic melodies. There were many arrangements of twitch. Twitch for clarinet and piano, Clarinet and percussion ensemble, and Clarinet and clarinet quartet which I am using for this performance.