When Tyler asked me to keep it light, I said “Oh you know me, it’s not going to get too heavy!”

With the lockdown, that part was fine… but my sister is a physical therapist [and] it’s been hard to see her deal with it and to see her face when she’s acting like everything is okay for my parents and us – and it’s not. And right as I got this commission, that’s when Georgy Floyd happened…

Everything is Fine is still not a heavy piece but it does address some anxiety, I guess. I ended up naming the piece as a sarcastic statement – because it’s not, nothing about this is fine – but it’s kind of the thing you say to get through the day and pushing towards something and not just lie down in your bed and never coming out of it again.

More info about Nicole and her music can be found at: www.nikkinotes.com

Premiered on July 6, 2020

Mary Matthews, Flute

Matthew Hudgens, Oboe

Danny Mui, Clarinet

Dakota Corbliss, Horn

Billy Beecher, Bassoon