The Joke

Scoring

Flute
Bb Clarinet Violin
Cello
Piano

When I was very young, I understudied for a bit part in a play directed by Mike Nichols.  Somehow, we remained friends.  Years later, when I was 16 years old, my father died suddenly. Mike was there, and walked me through my grief.  “Always look for the joke,” he suggested.  I had no idea what he meant by this, or what it could possibly have to do with my personal tragedy.  But it stuck with me my whole life, and continues to be some of the best advice I have ever received.  I still don’t know what it means.

I am immensely grateful to Augustus Arnone and the superb musicians of Collide-O-Scope Music for providing me the opportunity to write this piece for them.