Sonata for Trumpet and Piano (2004) was commissioned by the Broeker Fund for New Music and is dedicated to the trumpeter James Thompson, inspired by his performances of and support for new American trumpet music. The work is in three movements—two outer movements of intensity surrounding a respite in the middle movement.

The first movement, Arias, begins with a cantilena sung by the trumpet over a piano part built on a five note theme in the bass. A middle section emerges where the piano presents a sense of otherworldly resonance in a bell-like texture (with the pedal depressed for extended periods) over which the heavily muted trumpet transforms fragments of the well-known Advent plainchant, Veni, Veni Emmanuel. The final section returns to the texture of the opening cantilena, followed by a brief coda which recalls the plainchant.

The second movement, Interlude, is a song without words. It is a moment of repose—or a recollection of a different time.

The third movement, Fantasy, begins with a dramatic and declamatory section. Fast and somewhat jumpy music follows which builds to a seemingly grand climax. The fast music returns but tapers off suddenly. After a brief reprise of the opening declamatory music, the trumpet begins a desolate downward melody before fixating tensely on a single note—seeking a repose which seems distant and unattainable. The piano eventually provides a conclusion.