Snapshots

voice (high, medium and low keys available) and piano
​6 minutes
Olivia Betzen, soprano and Nate Salazar, piano
Vocal Range: High Key: C4-A5, Medium Key: B-flat3-G5, Low Key: G3-E5

Program Note

The texts for this cycle were found in the University Daily Kansan newspaper’s “Free-For-All” section, in which readers anonymously submit short impressions of their day. Amid the rather ordinary rants about exams and raves about the local bar scene were these seven “snapshots” of life, which seemed to naturally leap from words to music. They are designed to go together as a cycle or to be used as memorable encore pieces.  Each song in this set is dedicated to one of my mother's seven brothers. They are my advisers and my  playmates, my teachers and my friends.  And they can always make me laugh.