PROJECTS
COMMISSIONS AND WORLD PREMIERES
Channel Islands Orchestral Suite by Ashley Hoyer
Santa Monica Mountains (Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra) by Bevan Manson
Odesa Overture by Beven Manson
WORLD, U.S., AND WEST COAST
PREMIERE
Springtime at Stanwood by Laura Mihalka (World)
Rising and Shining from East River Mountain Suite by Bruce Thomas (W.C.)
Ode to the King of Western Chu by Bochen Li (U.S.)
Taiwan Rhapsody, Dark Sky, and Waiting for the Spring Breeze by Fabian Müller (U.S.)
March of the Sad Ones by Gilad Hekselman (W.C.)
The Channel Islands Orchestral Suite, by Ashley Broder, was commissioned by Dr. KuanFen Liu and premiered by the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra in September of 2019. In eight movements, the work was inspired by writings about and personal visits to the eight Channel Islands. Leading up to the premiere, a series of lectures was presented in various locations in Ventura and Santa Barbara, and featured selections from the suite performed by a string quartet from the orchestra, plus a lecture by biologist William Hoyer. His lecture included slides of his photographs of the flora and fauna of the islands. The music-lecture series introduced the public to the newly commissioned work, helped to enlighten the community about this unique archipelago, and encouraged conservation efforts and restoration programs through the performing arts. The lecture series was sponsored in part by the CSU Channel Islands Scholarly Research and Creative Activities Grant.
Santa Monica Mountains (Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra), by Bevan Manson is an orchestral love letter to the vast and myriad wonders of the lands spanning from the Malibu beaches to mysterious hidden valleys, trails, and endless canyons in the Topanga and Calabasas backcountry. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is, in fact, the largest urban park area in the world. It is no surprise then, that it brings us into contact with so many of nature's most beautiful aspects-and threats to them.
Evan Taucher performed the concerto with the orchestra at its premiere in December 2022.
