Jen's Musical Talent

Many of you didn't know that Jen was a trumpet soloist.  She stopped playing in 2001 at the end of her first year at UVA.  Both of the selections below were recorded in high school:  the excerpt from Phantom of the Opera in 1998 (she was 16) and the Intermezzo from First Suite in E-flat for Military Band, by Gustav Holst, in 1999.

Intermezzo   Jen plays throughout this section, but listen in particular to the solo at minute 1:28 and thereafter.

Say You Love Me    Jen's father conducted the Annandale High School Band during this performance.

Music from the Service

Jennifer loved all styles of music.  The musicians who participated in the service were all friends of the family, former teachers, or groups in which a member of the family had performed. Click on each blue link to hear that selection.

Nanette Gibbs, Brian's former music theory teacher, and her daughter Diana Gibbs played the harp before the service began. You can hear an excerpt from Satie's Gymnopedie #3 and Bach's Sarabande.

Brian was a member of the Annandale High School Men's Chorale for three years.  The Chorale sang Franz Biebl's Ave Maria.

Marynelle Losin, Brian's piano teacher from high school, played an excerpt from Chopin's Polonaise (Opus 26, No.1).

Jennifer was a member of the Joyful Ringers, an old English handbell choir.  Listen as they play Bell Song.

Janet sang with the choir at Grace Church for over 40 years.  The choir concluded the service with The Lord Bless You and Keep You.

The poignant melody of Ashokan Farewell was one of Jenny's favorites. "Ashokan Farewell," also played by Marynelle Losin, is the title of the theme song for the television miniseries The Civil War, which aired in 1990.  Many people believe it's a Civil War tune, but it was composed in 1982. Jay Unger composed this lament-style piece, originally written for fiddle, when he was experiencing a great feeling of loss and longing for the lifestyle and the community of people that had developed at his dance and music camps in Ashokan, New York that summer.

The Widor Tocatta from Symphony No 5 in F, Opus 42, No. 1, is a splendid organ piece written by French composer Charles-Marie Widor.  An organ toccata is usually a piece with fast repeated notes on the manuals (keyboards), and with the melody played by the pedals (played with the organist's feet).  While often played on Easter and as a recessional for weddings, we thought that Jenny would like everyone to exit the church listening to this bright and triumphant organ sound, rather than something sad and slow.  (Plus she always liked watching Ray's feet as he played this!)