of the stem that supports the sunflower’s movements. Rhythmic fluidity is a central feature throughout the piece, with lines weaving in and out of each other, creating a sense of ebb and flow. The tempo subtly shifts, reflecting the changing nature of the wind, from calm, almost static moments to gentle accelerations. Phrases are elongated or clipped to add a touch of unpredictability, mirroring the irregular yet harmonious patterns found in nature. The music’s harmonic language emphasizes modal shifts, with lush tonal colors that evoke the golden yellows and deep greens of the sunflower. Occasionally, the instruments create a shimmering effect, simulating the sunlight dancing on the petals. As the piece draws to a close, the motifs fade, leaving a quiet, lingering resonance, as if the sunflower has settled once more, awaiting the next breeze.
presents the
Composition Studio Recital Students of Clifton Callender, Eren Gümrükçüoğlu, and Liliya Ugay
– Justin Gruber, composer Insomnia Suite for trombone quartet is a journey through the restless mind—a late-night meditation on character, forged in the quiet hours before dawn. As someone who often wrestles with sleep, I find these moments filled with reflection, questioning the intricacies of human morality and my own motivations. This suite captures that inner dialogue, moving seamlessly from one movement to the next, each a chapter in the evolution of the self. The order unfolds as Dignifying, Humbling, Expanding, Struggling, Resurrecting, and Endowing—a cycle of introspection and transformation, where the music breathes, struggles, and ultimately ascends.
Friday, October 3, 2025 7:30 p.m. Dohnányi Recital Hall
PROGRAM Stream of Unconsciousness (2025)
March Jeongmin Seok, piano
March Jeongmin Seok (b. 2001)
– Justin Gruber, composer Saudade (2024)
Undertow (2025)
Tinkerings (2025)
Charlotte MacDonald, clarinet Emelia Ulrich, viola
Kyle McDonald, piano
Emelia Ulrich, viola
Darcie Ogando (b. 2001)
Kyle McDonald (b. 2002)
Emelia Ulrich (b. 2000)
To Ensure An Enjoyable Concert Experience For All… Please refrain from talking, entering, or exiting during performances. Food and drink are prohibited in all concert halls. Recording or broadcasting of the concert by any means, including the use of digital cameras, cell phones, or other devices is expressly forbidden. Please deactivate all portable electronic devices including watches, cell phones, pagers, hand-held gaming devices or other electronic equipment that may distract the audience or performers. Florida State University provides accommodations for persons with disabilities. Please notify the College of Music at (850) 644-3424 at least five working days prior to a musical event to request accommodation for disability or alternative program format.