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Goodbye is the Hardest Thing to Say is the fourth, and final, movement to “Fragile” a suite for brass quintet that confronts current socio-political issues. This movement focuses on the global COVID-19 Pandemic giving attention to the lives lost and how all of our daily lives and routines were dramatically altered.

Recording of debut performance at the Northern Illinois University Recital Hall, DeKalb, Illinois on April 25, 2021.

Trumpet 1 – Andrew Pacheco
Trumpet 2- Victor Yuen
Horn – Rebecca Wu
Trombone – Jenny Young
Tuba – Daniel Nowosad

Video Installation – Marvin Payton Jr.
Music Composition – Craig Peaslee

Craig Peaslee’s music has been described as bold, brash and unapologetic. Coming to the contemporary composition scene as a jazz performer and arranger, Craig’s compositions have a strong foundation in jazz and continually find him searching for new ways to incorporate jazz elements into works for the concert stage.

With selections ranging from traditional, dissonant, genre-bending and that directly confront present socio-political issues, Craig is passionate about creating new music that is accessible while simultaneously sounding new and invigorating.

Craig studied music composition at Northern Illinois University where he received his master of music degree in 2019, he is currently seeking the right school to pursue a doctorate degree in jazz composition.