Sinfonietta Helene

Art is an interpretation—of experience, of emotion, of time itself. Sinfonietta Helene is my love letter to Asheville, a record of what was, what is, and what could be. This work is not rigid but malleable, open to suggestion, evolving just as memory and emotion do. It is meant to live and breathe in the hearts of those who hear it.

This symphony was born out of a need to process and to give back. In the aftermath of the storm, I found myself with two questions: What can I do? And how do I make sense of what has happened to us? As a musician, as an artist of time and emotion, I sat at the piano, searching for something tangible amidst the intangible. The primary theme for the second movement emerged fully formed—a melody that carried the weight of grief, the push and pull of hope and despair, the quiet acceptance of what had been lost.

My relationship with Asheville is one of deep gratitude and reverence. This city is not just where I live but where I create, where I connect, where I give and receive in equal measure. This piece is a reflection of that relationship—a symphony shaped by the collective spirit of our community. It is an offering, a space for reflection, and above all, an invitation to feel.

~ Jay Sanders

The first movement opens with the awareness of an impending storm. There is an underlying uncertainty—no one knows how bad it will be. The rain and wind arrive, bringing tension and a rising anxiety reflected in the shifting tempo and dynamic contrast. The breath of the music mirrors our own—a rapid, unsteady inhalation that crescendos into a collective pause just before the storm’s full force is felt. This movement traverses from quadruple piano to quadruple forte, with the tempo fluctuating from 80 BPM to around 110 BPM, mirroring the storm’s growing intensity.

The second movement is less about clear structural delineation and more about the emotional landscape that follows in the wake of destruction. It is a meditation on grief—not linear, but fluid. It encompasses moments of sorrow, flashes of hope, waves of anxiety, and a final quiet resolution, not with grandiosity but with acceptance. Grief does not demand a theatrical conclusion; it simply is.

The third movement, Hope, is a true love letter to Asheville. It is meant to lift, to inspire, to remind us of who we are and how we came together. It is not lengthy or wandering—it simply exists to leave the listener with a sense of hope and possibility. This movement does not overstay its welcome; instead, it carries us forward, carrying the spirit of our community into the future. This is Sinfonietta Helene—a reflection, an interpretation, an offering.

About the Composer: Jay Sanders is a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose work seamlessly bridges jazz, classical, and contemporary genres. Based in Asheville, N.C., Sanders brings decades of compositional experience ranging from structured thematic works to experimental soundscapes. His recent solo album Evanescent (2024) demonstrated his orchestral sensibilities through an eight-person ensemble featuring saxophone, fiddle, and synthesizer, earning critical praise for its "astonishing range of styles and sounds." Sanders' extensive background includes over two dozen recordings, performances across 47 states and six countries, and collaborations with acclaimed acts including Acoustic Syndicate and The Snake Oil Medicine Show. This symphonic work represents his first large-scale orchestral composition.

Performance Information & Tickets:
September 27, 2025 - Warren Wilson Chapel
September 28, 2025 - Diana Wortham Theater