Theme and Variations was written for my good friend and talented violinist, Xenia St. Charles Gilbert. The piece explores a set of 9 contrasting variations that navigate the many timbres of the violin, stylistically offering hints of bluegrass and fiddle music. It explores some of my favorite techniques in string writing within the context of a very loutish and chromatic theme. I often enjoy writing a set of variations as it gives the composer an artistic playground of musical possibilities and explores new technical dynamics of familiar instruments. It's my hope that listener and performer alike enjoy this fun, short, showpiece as much as I have enjoyed composing it.