John Sipher: Just Breathe

Just Breathe is a piece for trombone and loop pedal written in the winter of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In three movements, the piece offers advice that is often easier said than done. The first movement, Breathe In, represents the moment when one is starting to feel overwhelmed and realizes that they need to take a calming breath, culminating in a lush chorale. The second movement, Monkey Brain, refers to the nature of our minds to wander frantically from topic to topic, rather than be in the moment. And finally, the third movement, Release, is the exhale as we release negative thoughts and tension with our breath. Writing this piece has been a large part of my therapy during this year of crisis, and I hope it can bring you a little piece of calm as well.

John Sipher has been the principal trombonist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra since 2015. Prior to his current position, he has held principal trombone positions with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and was a fellow at the New World Symphony.

A native of Roanoke, Virginia, he received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from James Madison University and his Master of Music in trombone performance from Yale University. In addition to his orchestral appointments, he has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra.

As an educator, John has served as a trombone instructor at Hamilton College and the University of Northern Colorado, and has presented masterclasses and recitals across the country. John is an active contributor of music to the trombone repertoire, composing and arranging music primarily for trombone ensembles and for trombone and loop pedal. John is a Conn-Selmer performing artist.