Nik-Nak (score & parts) - OB(EH)/CL/BSN

Nik-Nak
for oboe (English horn), clarinet, and bassoon
by Alyssa Morris (b. 1984) - American composer

Nik-Nak was commissioned by the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra for oboist Alecia Lawyer, clarinetist Nathan WIlliams, and bassoonist Kristin Wolfe-Jensen. The title plays on the initials of the three musicians for whom the work is written: NAK. 
A Nik-Nak, (or Knick-Knack) is a small trivial article. A Knick-Knack may also be known as a trinket, a gadget, a frill, a whatnot, a bibelot, a gimcrack, or a bit of bric-a-brac. In this trio, each movement includes the use of a variety of knick-knacks. Movement 1 is dedicated to knick-knacks made of wood. In the second movements, sounds are explored using knick-knacks made of glass. The third movement exhibits the use of knick-knacks made of metal. 
For the performance of Nik-Nak, it will be necessary to procure several small percussion items; two wood or temple blocks, two rubber mallets, one foot pedal with which to attach the wood block, several glass bottles (tuned by filling with water), a triangle, two triangle beaters, two metal brush sticks, and several extra stands.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER:

Alyssa Morris has delighted audiences around the world with her “exceptional” and “soulful” musicianship (Fanfare Magazine). Alyssa serves as Assistant Professor of Oboe at Kansas State University and as the principal oboist of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and Wichita Grand Opera.  She has appeared as a soloist in venues throughout the United States, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Western Europe.  Alyssa has previously held the position of Associate Principal Oboe in the Richmond (IN) Symphony Orchestra, and second oboe in the Utah Wind Symphony.  Her recent CD album release via MSR Classics, “A Higher Place,” has been hailed by American Record Guide as “gorgeous and thoughtful” with “stunning” performances, “unmistakable…virtuosity” and “deft emotional timing.” 

Regarding her equally expansive work as a composer, the American Record Guide writes that Dr. Morris’s music “has charm, piquancy, verve, and most importantly, substance.” Her chamber music is performed extensively around the world, and has been presented at the national and international conventions of IDRS, ICA, NFA, and SCI.  Dr. Morris is an International Barlow Composition Commission Award Winner.  She has additionally been commissioned to write music for the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Air Force Woodwind Quintet, and Carolyn Hove (principal English horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic) to name a few. Dr. Morris’s music has been recorded on the Equilibrium, Centaur, and MSR Classics labels.

Dr. Morris earned her BM and MM degrees at Brigham Young University, where she studied with Dr. Geralyn Giovannetti. She earned her DMA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Dr. Mark Ostoich. 

For more information, please visit the composer's website at: http://www.alyssamorrismusic.com/