American composer Nicole Piunno (b. 1985) completed composition studies at Central Michigan University and Michigan State University, where her principal teachers included David Gillingham, Ricardo Lorenz, and Charles Ruggiero. Her music has been performed by top ensembles around the United States and beyond. Aside from her many wind band works, her output so far is weighted towards music for brass ensembles of various sizes. This may be related to her history as a trumpet player. Although she sustained an injury that nearly ended her playing career, she has since recovered and shares that experience of rehabilitation with others.
Piunno wrote Postcard from Sequoia in 2019 after a memorable trip to a national park:
I often have to travel to new places as a composer. Whenever I spend time in a new location, I enjoy sending my niece a postcard. I do this because she loves getting mail, but also to show her the many places music can take us. I want to increase her imagination and help her dream. I decided to write a musical postcard after my experience hiking at Sequoia National Park.
Here is the original version for full band, written for a premiere at the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy:
2020 saw the addition of a flex band version, with some minor changes in the music, which was recorded by Lauren Reynolds and the University of Delaware Wind Ensemble as part of …And We Were Heard:
Piunno’s website features both the flex band and full band versions of this piece, which can also be found at Murphy Music Press and J. W. Pepper.