Dark Matter
Nathan Daughtrey

Dark matter is all around us. Thought to be the gravitational "glue" that binds galaxies together, no one knows what dark matter actually is. It is this astronomical mystery that sets the stage for this rousing, vigorous work.

Solace Dance
Nicole Piunno

 While at the Art Institute of Chicago, I spent a good amount of time with the works of Van Gogh. There was one particular painting of an outdoor scene that caught my attention. While engaging with this work I remember saying to myself: “This is solace”. I often think it takes work and seeking to find solace, as it does not always come to us naturally. In this work I imagined a person dancing her way to experiencing this sense of peace.  --Nicole Piunno

Fantasy on “Sakura, Sakura”
Setting by Ray E. Cramer

Sakura Sakura is perhaps the most famous of all Japanese folksongs. It is recognized throughout the world. This setting was done as a gift from Ray Cramer to the Musashino Academia Musicae and the student members of their fine wind ensemble. Within a few months after the premiere, the manager of the wind ensemble, Koichi Onodera, died at an all-too-early age. He loved this setting, and the piece brought him tears with each hearing. During Cramer's stay in Tokyo, while working with the wind ensemble, Cramer and Onodera developed a very close friendship. Cramer greatly admired Onodera's intense loyalty and dedication to the school and the students. Ray Cramer felt it was only fitting that this work be dedicated to his memory. 

Blue Radiance
Nicole Piunno

 The idea for this piece came during an encounter with America Windows by Marc Chagall at the Art Institute of Chicago. My initial reaction to these stained-glass windows was one of peace as I observed the vibrant blue light fill the area. As I looked more closely at each panel, I was most intrigued by the left panel because it was filled with energetic musical images such as fiddles, a trumpeter, and various musical notes. The entire panel seemed both rich with harmony as well as melody. Blue Radiance is the result of what I hear when I look at this work of art and reflect on the role of light. --Nicole Piunno