FACS - Scott Erikson: Scenes from America

Scott Erickson, Oboe- Scenes from America UCO’s Faculty Artist Concert Series Sponsored by Larry and Leah Westmoreland and Margaret Brisch (Ph.D) 7:30 P.M. September 5, 2023 UCO Jazz Lab Featuring Guest Artists: Samuel Magrill, piano, Ryan Sharp, trumpet, Michael Geib, contrabass Program Incantation and Dance William Grant Still (1895-1978) Samuel Magrill, piano Three Desert Fables for Solo Oboe Jenni Brandon (b. 1977) I. The Joshua Tree and the Moth: A desert fable of love and survival II. The Rock and the Chuckwalla: Basking in the sun… III. The Ocotillo and the Bee: A Desert Waltz Quiet City Aaron Copland (arr. J. Brodbin Kennedy) (1900-1990) Ryan Sharp, trumpet Samuel Magrill, piano 15 minute Intermission American Vein for Oboe, Contrabass and Narrator Valerie Coleman (b. 1970) 1. The Redwood Forest 2. On Route 66 3. Woodstock: Summer of 1952 4. The Melting Pot 5. Barn Raising, Bourbon and Bluegrass (BB&B) Michael Geib, contrabass Program Notes Three Desert Fables for Solo Oboe – Jenni Brandon Three Desert Fables for solo oboe tells the stories of the unique relationships found within the desert environments of Johua Tree National Park. These symbiotic relationships found in the desert are critical for the survival of these creatures and plants, and I thought these would make great stories to tell through the lyrical voice of the oboe. I. The Joshua Tree and the Moth: A desert fable of love and survival tells the story of the relationship between the Joshua trees found in the Mojave Desert and the Yucca moth. The Joshua tree relies on the moth for pollination, and the moth lays her eggs in the flowers of the Joshua tree where the larvae live off of the Yucca seeds. In fact, one cannot survive without the other, and this relationship is much like a fable. The Joshua tree and the moth dance together, relying on each other for their survival in the harshness of the desert. II. The Rocka and the Chuckwalla: Basking in the sun… tells the story of the chuckwalla, a lizard that lives in the park, and was often hunted by Indians for food. These creatures would wedge themselves in the crevice of a rock by puffing out their outer layer of skin. The chuckwalla will also often sun himself on a rock, and I love this relationship of the rock both protecting and warming the chuckwalla. III. The Ocotillo and the Bee: A Desert Waltz tells the story of the Ocotillo plant found in the southern part of Joshua Tree National Park. This plant looks like it belongs underwater and appears to be frozen in a waving motion. The carpenter bees that fly around it help to pollinate the plant, and in return the bee feeds on the nectar of the red flowers, thus allowing the bee and the Ocotillo to dance a lilting “desert waltz.” – Jenni Brandon