trails

an excursion for clarinet and orchestra

consortium membership

 

Trails: an Excursion for Clarinet and Orchestra

In this 20-minute Clarinet Concerto (version for Clarinet and Orchestra to be premiered by Laura Grantier and the Salt Lake City Symphony in the spring of 2025), the clarinetist will traverse four mountain trails by bike.  

Each movement features a different trail and a different clarinet. Movement 1 depicts a sunrise ride in Zion National Park on Gooseberry Mesa Trail. The 2nd movement (for Alto or Bass clarinet) journeys across Twisted Tree Trail in Canyonlands, UT. Movement 3 (for E-flat or B-flat clarinet) features Porcupine Rim Trail in Utah, and the 4th and final movement explores Laura’s favorite trail, Trail 401 in Crested Butte, CO.

Porcupine Rim Trail, Moab, UT

Anyone may join the consortium at any point before the premiere date in April of 2025!

 

Lead commissioner

Dr. Laura Grantier is the lead commissioner of Trails and is bringing composer Nadine Silverman on a series of mountain bike trips to research and study the terrain, sounds, and rhythms to incorporate into the concerto. From the composer:

“I had never mountain biked before in my life. the first trail laura took me on was a ‘short’ 8-mile trail—I’ll need to hit the gym quite a bit before I try to take on these Colorado trails. I never expected to be physically whipped into shape just by writing a piece of music!”

This concerto is a journey itself, with grueling uphill climbs, slowly unfolding scenery, wild switchbacks, high cliffs, and breakneck downhills. Getting outdoors and channeling all your energy and focus into the trail ahead is therapeutic and leaves you feeling on top of the world. It is amazing to have access to these stunning spaces and to be able to connect with the world around us in such an intense way. Mountain biking evokes thrill and adventure, fear and anxiety, wonder and bliss.

“It is an outlet for us to be.” -Laura Grantier

Movement 1: Zion Sunrise

Movement 2: Canyonland Cliffs

Movement 3: Switchback Scherzo

Movement 4: Verdant Valley PLunge

You will be prompted to pay the full amount upon selection of a pricing package. If you would like to make two payments, or have any other questions about your consortium membership, please email nadinesivermanmusic@gmail.com.

Crested Butte Trail 401, CO

Professional ($350)
Orchestral conductor’s score (parts available upon request)
Clarinet and piano version of the entire piece (includes alternate parts for auxiliary clarinets)

Standard ($200)
Clarinet and piano version of the entire piece (includes alternate parts for auxiliary clarinets)

Student ($50)
Clarinet and piano version of the entire piece (includes alternate parts for auxiliary clarinets)

All tiers receive:

  • Rights to perform all materials included in the selected pricing package within the period of exclusivity (July 20th, 2025, through July 20th, 2026)

  • All applicable materials as digital copies. Hard copies available at a reduced price.

  • Reduced pricing for all materials not included within the selected pricing package.