For two seasons, I was a Resident of the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra. Writing for six Under Construction concerts were intense experiences. Many thanks to the Berkeley Symphony, and its audience, for the opportunity to compose new works for a world-class orchestra.
2008-2009 Season
A Dangerous Time to Think Aloud - October 26, 2008 - conducted by William Eddins
Most of A Dangerous Time to Think Aloud was rapidly written over the course of a one week period in August 2008.
Full Score
Requiem For a Full Moon - November 16, 2008 - conducted by Paul Haas
Requiem probably owes more to Brian Eno's "Music for Airports" than perhaps any symphonic heritage. It is essentially a showpiece for the harp, an instrument that is often lost in a fortissimo orchestra.
Full Score
Festival of the Dark - December 14, 2008 - conducted by Joana Carneiro
Festival of the Dark is about storytelling, dancing and revelry.
Full Score
2007-2008 Season
Insecurity (and Other Agencies of Government) - February 24, 2008 - conducted by Hugh Wolff
A smaller (chamber) version of Insecurity was performed by the San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra in 2005. A substantially-expanded version was submitted to the Berkeley Symphony for entrance into the residency.
Full Score
The Spectator - March 16, 2008 - conducted by Guillermo Figueroa
The concert's theme, "dance," evoked some curious emotions in me. Rather than melodic lines for dancers, i.e., ones that could serve as an accompaniment to a dance, my mind drifted to the experiences and thoughts of those who observe dancers. This image developed into a very specific one: That of a shy wallflower at a school dance. Score ![]()
Deep Green Dream - March 30 - conducted by Laura Jackson
"Gardening and dreaming have the same transitory quality that makes them hard to describe from beginning to end. Putting the two together in a garden is doubly illusive." - Ferris Cook, Garden Dreams Score ![]()