Allégresse

Recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces: Chamber Music Grant, Allégresse has been dazzling audiences since 2006. The trio combines the virtuosic talents of Annie Gnojek, flute; Margaret Marco, oboe and Ellen Sommer, piano; three nationally recognized musicians with careers that have taken them throughout North America, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia both as soloists and chamber musicians. Allégresse, the French word for joy, aptly depicts the graceful artistry of this inspiring trio. They perform frequently on Kansas Public Radio and in 2009 they were awarded the University of Kansas General Research Fund to commission a work by Latin Grammy winner Gabriela Lena Frank. The trio premiered Frank’s work, Canto y Danza, along with Halo by Bryan Kip Haaheim at the International Double Reed Society Conference in Birmingham, England. Other appearances include the Music Educators National Conference in Washington, D.C., the International Double Reed Society Conference in Ithaca, NY, the Oklahoma City Community College Cultural Arts Series, the Topeka Great Spaces Recital Series, the Ruel Joyce Series at Johnson County Community College (KS), and the University of Kansas Edwards Campus Recital Series. They were invited to perform at the Festival of New American Music in Sacramento, CA., at the Escuela de Bellas Artes at the University of Costa Rica and the Conservatório de Musica in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Dedicated to expanding the repertoire for the flute, oboe and piano trio, Allégresse has commissioned six new pieces. They can be heard on the CDs Allégresse; music for flute, oboe and piano, Fresh Ink, Gorgeous Nothings, and Still Life which features the music of Kansas composers and Kansas poet Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg.

Allégresse combines the virtuosic talents of three nationally recognized musicians. These artists have performed solo and chamber music throughout the United States and abroad. They coalesce the versatile sonorities of flute, oboe and piano in this dynamic and evocative ensemble. Allégresse performs a variety of musical styles spanning from the Baroque to the Contemporary forming a program sure to appeal to listeners of all ages and interests. Program selections include Trio Sonata by Quantz, Flower Duet from the opera Lakmè by Delibes, 5 Miniatures by William Grant Still, There are Things to be Said by Ingrid Stölzel and the dazzling Duo Brilliant based on themes from Rossini’s opera William Tell by Demersseman-Berthelemy. To enhance the audience’s enjoyment of the performance, the musicians offer insightful, anecdotal commentary and written program notes.

An instructional thirty-minute pre-concert lecture is available in addition to the formal recital.

Master classes in flute, oboe, piano, chamber music and vocal coaching are also available.

• $1600 to $2000 plus travel for performance. Three hotel rooms and mileage at current state of Kansas reimbursement rate must be provided if concert venue is more than 90 miles from Lawrence.
• $200 for master classes: Flute, oboe, piano, voice or chamber music. The rate applies to each instrument for instruction. Prices are negotiable.
• $600-$900 for educational activities. Fee is conditional upon length of performance and distance from Lawrence. Educational materials are available.
• $300 for community activity. Fee is negotiable if scheduled on same day as main performance.

School concerts and interactive “Silver Lining” concerts for Senior Living Centers.

• Master classes in flute, oboe, piano, voice or chamber music.
• School concerts with appropriate age-based curricula based on Kansas State Educational Standards. Educational materials available.