Family Triptych for two violins and strings

Abstract

Family Triptych (1999) portrays the individual members of the composer’s family on specific occasions. The first, Ballade for John and Samantha, was written for the wedding celebration of the composer’s son and his bride in 1995. The second, Lenna in Minneapolis, represents the activities of the composer’s daughter as she pursues her doctorate at the University of Minneapolis. The final, Judy Mostly at Home, was written for the composer’s wife on the occasion of her retirement after many years of service as a children’s librarian in the East Baton Rouge Parish Library System. All the movements are modal in character with a great deal of tonal presence. They are simple and unpretentious in order to portray relationships within a family.