About the piece:

“Through the Bay” is a poetic narrative inspired by a ferry ride across our very own Puget Sound, as experienced by the avid storyteller and composer, Joe Jaxson. Drawing from his cinematic influences, Jaxson eloquently captures his experience on the ferry boat through this composition.

The introduction unfurls to a backdrop of flawless blue skies, as represented by soft, delicate notes performed by the strings. Meanwhile, the winds take turns emulating the distant call of a horn heralding the arrival of a ferry and foreshadows the melody. Each note swells and recedes, mirroring the flow of the ocean’s currents. As the journey progresses, chilly winds and waves start to rise as the violins take over the melody. Although the piece is written in one movement, Jaxson orchestrates subtle transitions in tone, aptly titled within sections of the composition (such as "swirling nimbus"), evoking a palpable sense of unease and apprehension akin to the foreboding presence of an impending storm. Jaxson channels his personal anxieties into the piece by continuing to build tension in the music until it finally crashes in the climax.

Joe Jaxson himself compares this musical journey to a triangle, each point representing a fundamental element essential to the performance of the piece. Jaxson’s attention to detail is evident in the delicate melodies woven into his composition, but playing the correct pitches and notes is only one point of the triangle. Rhythm and placement also emerge as guiding principles. Much like the rhythmic pulse of the ocean’s currents, the interplay of musical timing in this piece is crucial. However, the last point of performing "Through the Bay" is conviction and confidence, which emerges as the force that breathes life into every note and phrase. Jaxson’s request for unwavering confidence and expressiveness demonstrates the transformative power of music as a conduit for expression beyond technical proficiency.

~Program notes by: Eden Liu, Violin 1, Seattle Collaborative Orchestra (2024)