Surrender

Listen to Surrender

Performed by Nichole Thompson, flute

Katrina King, oboe

Charlie Inksetter, clarinet

Nate Massa, horn

Colton Wilder, bassoon

I. Restless • II. Paralysis • III. Deep • IV. REM

Program Note

Surrender explores the stages of sleep in this multi-movement woodwind quintet work. Conveying the qualities and attributes that define each stage of sleep, the ethereal and mysterious state of sleep still baffles scientists today. With the current research and knowledge about the sleep stages, a musical representation or depiction of the stages of sleep is still seldom attempted. The culmination of these factors lead to the genesis of this work. Perhaps the best way to present these movements is by the attributes that define each stage of sleep, and the listener can interpret the musical material from there:

I. Restless

The first stage of sleep is associated with brain activity slowing, but with intermittent bursts of activity. One during this first stage can be easily woken due to the close connection to wakefulness.

II. Paralysis

The slowing down off body activity and the relaxing of muscles defines this more repressed state of sleep. One is less likely to awake from this state which gives this movement the name, Paralysis.

III. Deep

This third stage is commonly known as “deep sleep”. This is where the most restorative sleep is achieved; one is even likely to wake easily. Enhancements to cognitive function, like creativity and memory are known to be especially present here.

IV. REM

R.E.M. sleep, or rapid eye movement, is the stage where the most vivd dreams occur. Whilst asleep, the brain activity picks up to a near-awake level where memories consolidate and cognitive functions ramp up.

Research obtained from the Sleep Foundation (www.SleepFoundation.org)