Adagio and Allegro was winner of the 2019-2020 South Texas Brass Symposium Composition Competition. It was commissioned by trombonist Don Lucas.

Stark shows his mastery of writing beautiful lyrical lines for the brass, with witty and pianistic interjections…the innate lyricism with which Stark writes, along with his clear presentation of characters in each movement makes this delightful piece a fun and audience-pleasing program staple.

— Heidi Lucas, The Horn Call (2019)

Adagio begins with a quiet, nostalgic melody in trombone accompanied by an arpeggiated piano figure, and later blooms into a more passionate outpouring by the trio. Allegro offers contrast with a funky, rhythmically driven piece in which each player is featured in solo passages of syncopated, jazz-influenced character.

(Adagio and Allegro is also available in a version for 2 trombones and piano)