Allégresse
Annie Gnojek, flute - Margaret Marco, oboe - Ellen Bottorff, piano

Recent recipients of the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpeices: Chamber Music Grant, Allégresse combines the virtuosic talents of three nationally recognized musicians with careers that have taken them throughout North America, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia both as soloists and chamber musicians. Allegresse, the French word for "joy", aptly depicts the graceful artistry of this inspiring new trio. Friends and collaborators for nearly a decade, Annie, Margaret, and Ellen formed this exciting ensemble to explore the rich and varied repertoire for flute, oboe, and piano. They perform frequently on Kansas Public Radio. In 2009, they were awarded the University of Kansas General Research Fund for a commission by composer Gabriela Frank.

The trio recently premiered Frank's work, Canto y Danza, along with Halo by Bryan Kip Haahiem at the 2009 International Double Reed Society Conference in Birmingham, England. Other appearances include the International Double Reed Society Conference in Ithaca, NY, the Oklahoma City Community College Cultural Arts Series, the Topeka Great Spaces Recital Series, the Ruel Joyce Series at Johnson County Community College (KS), and the University of Kansas Edwards Campus Recital Series. Dedicated to expanding the repertoire for the flute, oboe piano trio, Allégresse commissioned six new pieces in 2009. These works will be the subject of the trio's second CD, due to start production in 2010.