Mount Hood
Trombone Quartet | Grade 2.5-3 | Instrumental Chamber Work | Approx. 3–4 minutes
Inspired by the oil painting by Lacie Esteve Landry
Mount Hood is a musical meditation inspired by the oil painting of the same name by visual artist Lacie Esteve Landry. The painting itself captures the iconic peak of Mount Hood, nestled between Clackamas and Hood River counties in Oregon. After visiting the region, Landry spoke of her profound emotional connection to the mountain—describing a rare moment of serenity and joy she experienced while immersed in its natural grandeur. That sense of deep peace lies at the heart of this composition.
Scored for three tenor trombones and one bass trombone, the work draws upon the trombone’s vocal, almost human quality. Its rich, dark resonance is uniquely suited to express the stillness, majesty, and quiet strength of the mountain landscape. The quartet format allows for both intimacy and breadth, echoing the feeling of standing alone in the cold mountain air, surrounded by silence and sky.
The piece unfolds as a kind of slow, contemplative breath. Suspended harmonies suggest the gentle inhale—cool, expansive, and full of anticipation—while their resolutions mirror the warm, settling exhale. Each new theme emerges gradually, like thoughts drifting across a quiet mind, reflecting the slow unwinding of body and spirit when faced with such natural beauty.
As the music evolves, the listener is invited not only to see the mountain through Landry’s eyes but to feel what she felt: peace, contentment, and a quiet reverence for the natural world. In this way, Mount Hood becomes more than a musical portrait; it is an atmosphere, a reflection, and a breath of stillness.
Mount Hood
Trombone Quartet | Grade 2.5-3 | Instrumental Chamber Work | Approx. 3–4 minutes
Inspired by the oil painting by Lacie Esteve Landry
Mount Hood is a musical meditation inspired by the oil painting of the same name by visual artist Lacie Esteve Landry. The painting itself captures the iconic peak of Mount Hood, nestled between Clackamas and Hood River counties in Oregon. After visiting the region, Landry spoke of her profound emotional connection to the mountain—describing a rare moment of serenity and joy she experienced while immersed in its natural grandeur. That sense of deep peace lies at the heart of this composition.
Scored for three tenor trombones and one bass trombone, the work draws upon the trombone’s vocal, almost human quality. Its rich, dark resonance is uniquely suited to express the stillness, majesty, and quiet strength of the mountain landscape. The quartet format allows for both intimacy and breadth, echoing the feeling of standing alone in the cold mountain air, surrounded by silence and sky.
The piece unfolds as a kind of slow, contemplative breath. Suspended harmonies suggest the gentle inhale—cool, expansive, and full of anticipation—while their resolutions mirror the warm, settling exhale. Each new theme emerges gradually, like thoughts drifting across a quiet mind, reflecting the slow unwinding of body and spirit when faced with such natural beauty.
As the music evolves, the listener is invited not only to see the mountain through Landry’s eyes but to feel what she felt: peace, contentment, and a quiet reverence for the natural world. In this way, Mount Hood becomes more than a musical portrait; it is an atmosphere, a reflection, and a breath of stillness.
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