The Sapphire Trio in Europe ... It's all about relationships.

The view from the train window was a breathtaking landscape of snowtopped Alps and lush green farmland. White houses with red tiled roofs dotted the hillsides, and the window boxes were filled with brightly colored flowers. These spectacular surroundings were the backdrop to the Sapphire Trio's travels in Austria and Germany, as we went from one town to the next, playing concerts and meeting new friends.

The Sapphire Trio, with Maxine Ramey, clarinet; Margaret Baldridge, violin; and Jody Graves, piano, was formed to explore the newly created literature for clarinet, violin and piano, and bring to the concert venue the master works that exist in the repertoire for this combination.

One highlight of our tour in May 2003 was in Neckargemund, Germany. It's a town very close to Heidelburg on the Neckar River. We stayed at the Hotel Reber, a beautiful four-story guest house with a view of the river and a history of the Reber family displayed in framed pictures throughout the house. We shared wonderful meals prepared by the owner's son and exchanged stories with the family in a kind of German-English conversation over a local fare of schweinschnitzel, croquettes and spatzle.

The morning of our concert we went to the Prince Carl Hall for our rehearsal. It's a beautiful concert hall, with windows spanning the entire length of one side overlooking the river. We met with local music instructors, who were so welcoming and excited about our performance that evening. The piano teacher and I talked for a long time, sharing ideas about music and teaching, discovering we experience the same joys and struggles in our respective musical journeys.

The deputy mayor gave an introduction at the beginning of the concert and talked about how wonderful it was to have us perform on their "Sister City" series. (Missoula, Montana and Neckargemund). He said many events had been canceled recently because of the war in Iraq, which, in a way, made us all feel even more connected to each other. It was a poignant reminder of how music brings people together and gives us a sense of peace and hope, as we all desire to share something positive and uplifting in times of conflict.

The concert that evening was one of our best ever. It was the kind of performance that transports you from "playing the score" to "being played by the music." We felt completely bonded to each other on stage and embraced by the hospitality from the city officials and the audience. You could feel it in the room. At the end, the applause seemed to go on forever and continued in rhythm until we played an encore. Afterwards, we were presented with gifts from the city and spent another hour talking with various audience members who stayed to ask questions. Several people commented that the twentieth-century music we performed was all new to them, and they appreciated and enjoyed the unfamiliar music. One person told me it was wonderful to learn that "new" music was so interesting and memorable. Following the concert, the deputy mayor and his staff treated us to dinner at the Rosagarten restaurant. We had a lovely meal and lively conversation. By the end of the night we were exhausted, but thrilled at the new friends we had made and the promise of furore gatherings.

I have the privilege and honor of being part of the Sapphire Trio with Margaret Baldridge, violin, and Maxine Ramey, clarinet, who are brilliant musicians with exceptional artistic integrity. We have been together since 1998, and every time we walk on stage to perform, I immediately feel "at home." The dynamics involved in the rehearsal and performance of chamber music go far beyond the inspired execution of a particular score, especially if you have the opportunity to spend years playing together. The relationship that develops through playing chamber music becomes a very intimate one involving trust and accountability. What could be better life lessons to learn? After all, the richness and fulfillment of life is not just about what we do, it's about who we are and the relationships we cultivate with each other.

Throughout our travels we made wonderful new friends at every concert venue, and it was always hard to say good-bye. As musicians, we do share something very special that goes beyond words, and whether we play in a neighborhood retirement center or a concert hall in Munich, the world is hungry for our gift. Having the unique opportunity to share stories and music with people in other countries is a life-changing experience and deepens our mutual understanding. So, to our new friends in Germany and Austria we thank them and say: "Esfehlt mir schwer, auf Wiedersehen zu sagen."--It's difficult for me to say good-bye.

Conference Sessions

There are two opportunities to see the Sapphire Trio,with Maxine Ramey, clarinet; Margaret Baldridge, violin; and Jody Graves, piano, at the 2005 MTNA National Conference in Seattle Washington:

Collaborative Performance Master Class

Sunday, April 3. 2005 Convention Center Room 2 AB 2:15-3:45 P.M.

The Sapphire Trio--Lecture/Recital: A Growing Legacy in Twentieth- and Twenty-first-century Chamber Music

Monday, April 4, 2005 11:45 A.M.-12:45 P.M. Convention Center Rooms 615-617

The Sapphire Trio will present an exciting program of music by living composers who have been commissioned to write for the violin-clarinet-piano trio within the last thirty years. Highlights of works by Chihara, Schickele, et al will be performed, and a discussion of available repertoire for students and professionals will be included.

Jody Graves holds a D.M.A. degree from the Eastman School of Music and is director of piano studies at Eastern Washington University. She is active as a performer, teacher, clinician and adjudicator.