Desire Paths Consortium
for clarinet in b-flat and piano
by Ryn Thampi (they/them)
Ryn was one of the first students I worked with at the University of Oklahoma. Aside from immediately connecting as clarinet nerds and composers, I was struck by their heart and how much that showed in everything they do. After hearing their music, I knew one day I would commission Ryn. Without really discussing the theme of the piece, Ryn shared the idea of desire paths and how we can relate to them in our own lives. Little did they know, around that time I had long been on my own journey with gender and finding what that meant within myself and my life in academia. This piece is meaningful in so many ways and I hope all who hear it and perform it are able to celebrate their own individual paths.
Program Notes
Commissioned in 2024 by Dr. Luke Ellard (They/Them) for ClarinetFest 2025, Desire Paths for clarinet and piano (12’) is loosely based on the natural phenomenon of the same name. Desire paths are small informal paths or trails created by the natural foot traffic of humans or other animals. These paths stray from conventional routes such as sidewalks or roads, often indicating the most direct or favorable path.
“To me, desire paths are a symbol of defiance and individuality; a refusal to stick to the status quo, and a pride in what sets us apart from ‘normal’. Furthermore, in tandem with ClarinetFest’s 2025 theme ‘Transcending Traditions’, the ideas and themes of ‘Desire Paths’ were founded upon ideals of existing unapologetically outside the norm of what is expected of us, from classical musical standards to beauty standards to gender expression and more.”
Prologue
Regretfully
Unapologetically
Reprise
Details
$40 Students / $65 Professionals
Final score delivery by September 30, 2025.
Includes:
- Exclusive performance rights until September 30 2026.
- Your name (and optional story) in the score.
- A personal thank you from Ryn and Luke.
To join, please fill out the Consortium Form and send payment directly to Ryn via Venmo: @Ryn-t
If another payment method is necessary, please reach out to Ryn at thampi.arjun.g@gmail.com