This concert will last about 1 hour without intermission.
Please silence your electronic devices.
Photography, video, or recording of any part of this performance is prohibited
Program
Kyra Hong
The Ugly Duckling
It Was Summer
A Quaint Little Pond
Ducks, Hatching "Piep-Piep"
The Ugly Grey Duckling
The Departure
The Hunt
The Storm
The Hen and The Cat
The Winter
The Swan
Finale
Leiana Campanaro
The great blue whale
Joel Rene
Song Collection
Sky Bird
The Mirror of Time
Without a Worry
Daniel Lim
Little Candle
Isaac Basil
Piano Sonata No.1
Maestoso
Cantabile
Leggiero
Josh Perry
Momento
Brandon Shen
PRECIPIE
About the Program
Kyra Hong
The Ugly Duckling
COMPOSED 2025
INSTRUMENTATION String Quartet
PERFORMED BY Yida An, Liora Hong, Ying-Chen Reese Chen, William Pu
ABOUT THE PIECE
I love my mom so much- she suggested that I turn a beloved fairy tale into a musical story, and I decided on "The Ugly Duckling." This story has been condensed into several mini-movements, each highlighting the most significant parts of the plot. An ugly duckling motif appears throughout the piece, culminating in the moment when our duckling transforms into something greater—no spoilers! Themes from "The Swan" by Camille Saint Saens and "Swan Lake" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky are present in the piece, weaving together to create a unique blend of the two well-known melodies. I hope that by this exploration of The Ugly Duckling I can bring you vivid imagery, creative storytelling, and tasteful imagination only befitting the greatest of all fairy tales.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER Kyra Hong is an avid storyteller and musician, some of her preferred mediums of creativity spanning across webcomic creation, novel writing, music composition, songwriting, and visual arts. She served as principal cellist of the Dripping Springs Youth Orchestra and UT String Project Advanced/Chamber Orchestra before sustaining an injury that left her unable to play the cello. After deciding to pursue music composition Kyra has premiered pieces with the UT String Project Faculty Orchestra under the direction of Ruben Balboa, as well as with non-profit organization Golden Hornet’s 2023 Winter Whoop-De-Doo fundraiser and their 2024 Young Composer’s Concert. She is Suzuki certified and has been teaching students at the UT String Project as well as in her home studio and the Dripping Springs Youth Orchestra since 2021.
Leiana Campanaro
The Great Blue Whale
COMPOSED 2023
INSTRUMENTATION Solo Piano
PERFORMED BY Kelly Changpon
ABOUT THE PIECE This piano solo piece called The Great Blue Whale was composed after a long trip to Puerto Rico with was spent on the beach and in the mountains of the rainforest El Yunque. The island's natural beauty paired with listening to the music by composers like Ravel and Piero Piccioni on repeat created a peaceful state of mind that inspired this work.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER Leiana is an undergraduate music composition student from Austin Texas who is also a multi-instrumentalist playing the guitar, piano, and violin. She has experimented both composing and playing in a variety of genres such as rock, classical, pop and jazz. These various styles can be heard in the sounds Leiana creates with each of her compositions.
Joel Rene
Song Collection
COMPOSED 2025
INSTRUMENTATION Soprano, Mezzo Soprano, and Piano
PERFORMED BY Kory Farquhar, Frida Hernandez-Villarreal, Julian Woodman
ABOUT THE PIECE
1. Sky Bird
A young farm girl watches a bird soar, its freedom awakening a restless longing within her. She calls out, seeking its secret, yearning to rise beyond the world she knows. As the sky stretches wide before her, fear fades, and the horizon whispers of possibility.
2. The Mirror of Time
Two reflections meet across the mirror—one shaped by time, the other untouched by it. Questions and fears pass between them, each searching for reassurance in the face of the unknown. As the distance between past and future fades, the mirror fades, leaving only love and acceptance.
3. Without a Worry
Doubt and hesitation fade as a melodic call to embrace true freedom rings out. Fear has no place where peace awaits, if you listen closely, you'll learn that the path forward is clear—life is meant to be lived, without a worry.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER Joel Rene comes from Houston, TX, where he has established himself as a passionate and versatile composer with a deep affinity for musical storytelling. His journey began in high school, writing and premiering original works for percussion ensembles, setting the stage for a career dedicated to crafting evocative and immersive storytelling. Since beginning his academic career at the University of Texas at Austin, Joel has expanded his compositional voice, writing for a wide range of ensembles spanning orchestral, band, choral, and chamber. He strives to create music that adds perspective and ignites the imagination, allowing audiences to experience storytelling through music and performance.
Isaac Basil
Piano Sonata No. 1, "The Matriarch"
COMPOSED 2024
INSTRUMENTATION 2 Solo Piano
PERFORMED BY Isaac Basil
ABOUT THE PIECE Dedicated to Wilma Jean Egloff, who will always remain a matriarch to so many.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER Isaac Basil is a composer, songwriter, and musician studying at the University of Texas at Austin. His work draws from both classical and contemporary influences, focusing on creating thoughtful and expressive compositions. In addition to composing, he plays in various musical projects, valuing collaboration and exploration in his work. Actively involved in Austin’s music scene, he continues to develop his craft through performance and songwriting, always seeking new ways to engage with music and the people who create it.
Josh Perry
Momento
COMPOSED 2025
INSTRUMENTATION 2 Euphoniums, 2 Tubas
PERFORMED BY Miguel Gonzales, Shelby Burton, Ethyn Evans, Ben McWilliams
ABOUT THE PIECE From the first moments, before a warm bond began to run cold and blood began to sour, this memory—a souvenir, a memento—remains the final vestige of warmth in his heart.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER Josh Perry is a composer, vocalist, and tubist who specializes in instrumental composition for live band, orchestra, chamber ensembles and screen scoring. Inspired by musicians from various genres, he seeks to blend elements of diverse musical styles, including video game music, film scores, R&B, and pop through his work.
Brandon Shen
PRECIPICE
COMPOSED 2025
INSTRUMENTATION Saxophone Octet
ABOUT THE PIECE PRECIPICE is about the feelings and thoughts that come after reaching some sort of apex. I was picturing hiking up a lush, tree-covered mountain, and coming to a clearing that led to the highest point of the mountain. After achieving such a feat, what comes next? A special thanks to the UT Saxophone Studio for taking a chance on me and my work. I am so grateful.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER Hailing from Chantilly, VA, Brandon Shen is a Chinese-American composer, saxophonist, and pianist currently studying composition and arts administration at the University of Texas at Austin under Omar Thomas. His previous instructors include Chris Evan Hass (composition), Ed Fraedrich, and Billy Wolfe (saxophone). By creating diverse musical experiences, he intends to explore human connection, perception, natural phenomena, and the digital age.