The pandemic has impacted everyone in the arts more than we could have imagined. I had to put several projects on hold including the Sarah Council Dance Company collaboration and Montserrat for choir and orchestra. Both are still on hold due to uncertainties surrounding the premieres. However, one project that was on hold is now finally moving forward; my new piano trio. While the date of the premiere is not yet set, plans are underway to bring the trio to fruition and schedule a first performance. Troika will be a single movement work for violin, cello, and piano written for pianist Tomoko Deguchi’s trio. Troika is a word with middle European roots that refers to three of anything working toward a common goal. It has been used to describe a specialized yoke that allows three oxen to pull together. It has also been used to describe three government officials working toward a common goal. In this case troika refers to three musicians working together as equals to achieve a musical goal. I am in the early stages of composing Troika and will post updates along the way. It is good to be returning to composing and arranging premieres and performances!