Kevin Poelking
Mask

Commissioned Fall 2022
Premiered March 28, 2023

This performance: April 24, 2023

Megan Bellamy-Lanz, flute
Cayla Bellamy-Lanz, bassoon
Jooyeon Chang, piano

“Mask for flute, bassoon, and piano began as a conversation and expanded to a beautiful new work for woodwind chamber ensemble. After wonderful experiences with Kevin Poelking’s woodwind writing via There and Back (bassoon) and Unbroken (flute) and inspiring conversations with Frank Horvat to begin work on The Spirits that Haunt Us, Megan and Cayla agreed to reach out to Kevin with the request for a work to culminate the exploration begun in Frank’s duo. Could we explore not only how elements of control, trust, and struggling to be enough weave through our common human experiences but also how we as individuals manage these issues internally and project different selves to the public? Kevin returned with Mask, which portrays the reflective and performative aspects of our personal growth, ultimately resulting in a grand sense of peace and acceptance.”

(Notes by SoundCraftEd)