ALBERTA WINDS
Gareth Jones, Conductor
June 8, 2025

COSMIC HARMONIES
Looking outward // Looking inward

Jillian Camwell – Oboe

Program

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ABOUT DR. JILLIAN CAMWELL

Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Jillian Camwell is the Assistant Professor of Oboe at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Camwell’s primary teachers were David Sussman, Peter Cooper, and J. Robert Moore. She holds degrees from the University of Calgary, University of Northern Colorado, and University of Oregon. She has performed throughout North America, Asia, and Europe with a variety of theatrical, orchestral, and chamber music ensembles. She has performed solo and chamber recitals at the International Double Reed Society Conferences in 2022, 2024, and 2025.

Dr. Camwell can be heard on two recordings (Timescape, and Sonoroso) with her saxophonist husband, Dave Camwell. In 2021, she released her recording of the complete 40 Progressive Melodies by A.M.R. Barret with Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s Principal oboist, Peter Cooper on the Teal Creek Music label. Her latest recording featuring works by Jenni Brandon and Robert W. Smith was released in 2024. 

Dr. Camwell holds the position of English horn with Orchestra Iowa and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, and she performs regularly with many regional orchestras in the Southeastern United States. She is a sought-after masterclass clinician and recitalist across the USA and Canada. 

Jillian Camwell is a Marigaux Performing Artist with Marigaux Oboes in Paris, France. https://marigaux.com/ 

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ABOUT COSMIC HARMONIES

“Cosmic Harmonies” is a concerto for oboe and wind ensemble and the final product of a collaboration between oboist Jillian Camwell and composer Robert W. Smith (1958-2023). The three movements of the full piece were inspired by three works by artist Fred “Nall” Hollis (1948-2024), housed at the International Art Center on the campus of Troy University: “Adam and Eve in Yelapa”, “Alternative Southern Belle”, and “Cosmic Harmonies”. 

Mvt. 1 “Yelapa”
Nall was a student of Salvador Dali.  The Dali influence is clearly seen in a series of works Inspired by Nall’s time spent in the secluded beach town of Yelapa on the west coast of Mexico.  Nall considered the beach his “office” and many of the objects he found on that beach were incorporated into his artwork.

This first movement of Cosmic Harmonies is influenced both by the composer’s travels in Spain as well as his love of Salvador Dali’s artwork.  Spanish-influenced melodies combined with a liberal use of chromaticism reflect Dali’s “melting” clocks and other iconic images that impacted Nall and countless other artists.

Mvt. 2 “Alternative Southern Belle”
Nall challenges the traditional image of the “Southern Belle” with a portrait depicting a slave woman.  The wasp nest behind her ear evokes the stinging words she endured over her lifetime. The child figure holding a liver spoon symbolizes the children of slave owners that she nurtured and raised. The pearl necklace around her neck represents her intangible wisdom over a lifetime of hardship.

The second movement of Cosmic Harmonies is based on the composer’s understanding of Nall’s powerful imagery.  Robert W. Smith was born in Alabama with maternal family lineage in that traditional southern lifestyle.  The movement begins with a sense of wonder as our southern day unfolds. Biting, stinging harmonic effects combined with a fractured antebellum waltz take the solo and listener through a surreal musical portrait of a strong, wise woman who, along with many others, shaped a culture, region and entire country.

Mvt. 3 “Oh No Ringo!”
The third movement, “Oh No Ringo!” is named after an anecdote told by the artist. Nall recalls that Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was with him in the studio when he was working on “Cosmic Harmonies”.  As Nall dripped red paint onto the canvas, Ringo cried out that he was ruining the painting.  Nall simply replied “What do you mean ruin it? It’s my painting.  Do I tell you how to drum?!”

This final movement of “Cosmic Harmonies” is based on that moment with Ringo Starr and the ongoing love the Beatles had for Nall’s art. The juxtaposition of oboe in a rock-influence musical setting creates a compelling musical environment for the soloist and audience alike.  

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THE PLAYERS

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ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE

ALBERTA WINDS is a collection of some of Calgary’s most committed wind, brass and percussion players. It promotes the world of concert band music by performances of great composers from around the world, introducing audiences to new Canadian music, and presenting virtuosic soloists during its concert seasons. With a sizeable number of music educators in its ranks, the band has a tangible relationship with the school band community, including inspirational performances at places including MusicFest Canada and the Vic Lewis Festival. Currently led by nationally recognized conductor Gareth Jones, the Alberta Winds has been making music since 2003

To support future performances of the ensemble, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Alberta Winds. Please click the button below to connect to the secure CanadaHelps giving platform.