FARGO, N.D. — The Boreas Trio, a faculty ensemble at North Dakota State University, has released its debut album showcasing sharp, spirited works for clarinet, saxophone, and piano. Among the featured compositions is Kyle Vanderburg’s Earmarks, a tongue-in-cheek tribute to political maneuvering and budgetary sleight of hand. With music as sly as it is stylish, Vanderburg’s work highlights the trio’s knack for pairing technical brilliance with a playful edge.
The album presents a dynamic program of contemporary and 20th-century repertoire:
John Heins: Capriccio
Gabriel Marie: Feuilles Au Vent
Roger Boutry: Paronymes
Kyle Vanderburg: Earmarks
William Albright: Pit Band
Mark Engebretson: Sharpie
Guillaume Connesson: Techno-Parade
The Boreas Trio—Cassie Keogh (clarinet), Matthew Patnode (saxophone), and Tyler Wottrich (piano)—recorded the album in NDSU’s Beckwith Hall with support from The Arts Partnership. The release highlights regional voices alongside international composers whose works push the boundaries of the clarinet–saxophone–piano trio.
The limited-run debut marks an important milestone for the Boreas Trio and offers listeners a chamber music experience full of wit, energy, and adventurous spirit.
