Sarah Jerrom - Magpie (2024) Hi Res

The “Magpie" Suite - an evocative and transformative musical journey for expanded jazz orchestra and 4 voices - was born from a moment of awe; during residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts in January 2018, composer Sarah Jerrom observed magpies and crows performing a dance amidst a winter storm. At the time, Sarah was working on a deeply personal composition defying the stigma and taboo surrounding pregnancy loss. This experience not only captivated her but also set the narrative trajectory for the entire piece, and the complex world of magpies became a rich metaphor woven throughout the suite’s musical narrative.

The suite, which premiered on April 6, 2023 in Toronto, is a masterful blend of storytelling and music, guided by the folkloric nursery rhyme "One for Sorrow." It takes listeners on a journey through the eyes of its main character, Woman/Magpie, exploring profound themes such as feminism, infertility, grief, hope, and love. Each of the eight suite movements, from "The Road" to “Crystallization," offers a distinct musical experience, seamlessly integrating elements of classical and jazz ensembles as well as four vocalists led by Jerrom, creating a dynamic and immersive soundscape. “Magpie” is a tour de force, an emotional odyssey, a narrative of resilience, transformation, and the magic of storytelling through music.