Composer’s Note:

“Cello Mashup” was written for the 50th annual assembly of Rick Mooneys National Cello Institute. Rick was a major figure in cello pedagogy, teaching countless students (and teachers!) in person, and through his voluminous repertoire of teaching methods and cello ensembles. After 50 years, his National Cello Institute continues to light up the lives of more than 150 participants each year.

I had the immense pleasure of working with Rick as student, teacher, and colleague. In my early cello teaching days, I took a teacher training course with Rick, and learned valuable lessons that I carried into my years of teaching music theory and composition. In his early days of arranging cello ensembles Rick came to me with questions about harmony and voice leading. One of his earliest projects was a beautiful arrangement of Pie Jesu from Faurs Requiem. After all its fun and games, Cello Mashup closes with Pie Jesu, as a heartfelt thanks to Rick for all he gave us.