“Cabinets of Elephants” is a piece of music in memory of my grandmother, Loretta Martin. Ma-Ma was definitely my biggest fan. I grew up with her as my next-door neighbor, and every time I wrote a piece of music or learned a song, she was one of the first to hear it. She loved when I played the piano. She played piano, too, and our duets are treasured memories. She lost a short battle with leukemia in the summer of 2023. I began writing this piece shortly after.

 

Ma-Ma loved travel and adventure. One of the highlights of my childhood was traveling to different parts of the world with her and my family. There were just a few places left that she did not have a chance to visit.

 

Everywhere Ma-Ma went, she collected a small elephant figurine to bring home, or family would bring back elephants for her from their own travels. Elephants were dotted all over her house and filled a beautiful secretary in the living room–“Cabinets of Elephants.”

 

Originally composed as a solo piano piece, “Cabinets of Elephants” was later developed into a full orchestral work. Adventure is an important theme throughout the piece. The piano and orchestra maintain a delicate balance. Melody and harmony are shared across instrumental families of the orchestra, representing the love of family. The triumphant climax contains two interwoven melodies, representing beauty and joy. The sensitive ending reminds the listener of the importance of time.

 

It has been quite a journey to get where I am today, and I have had wonderful teachers along the way. I would like to extend a special thanks to my childhood classical piano teacher, Mrs. Cyprienne Stierwald; my first band director, Ms. Claire Conti; my drum teacher, Mr. Ray Fransen; the band staff at Jesuit High School, Mr. Joseph Caluda, Mr. Jason Giaccone, Mr. Woody Dantagnan, and others; my piano teachers at Loyola University New Orleans, Professor Mi-Eum Kim, Dr. Xiting Yang, Professor Peter Collins, Dr. Brian Hsu, and Dr. Qifan Wu; the composition staff, Dr. Janna Saslaw, Dr. James Walsh, and Dr. James MacKay; the Symphony Orchestra director, Dr. Jean Montès; my amazing parents Tad and Nicole Bartlett, and all my beautiful family and friends who have shaped me and who I hold very close to my heart.