Berkeley Symphony

The State of California and the Bay Area itself has a unique ecosystem all its own with not only famous living composers residing and working here but their students tend to stay in the area and become well known which has led to generations of California taught and residing fabulous composers. They often use subject matter and musical inspirations are taken from their lives here, including the environment and nature which leave enough of a mark on them that when they leave they still paint the picture of what it is like to live in this great state. The piece we are featuring on this program by composer Ben Shirley does exactly that.  Ben Shirley was a student of Gabriela Lena Frank at the GLF Creative Academy of Music in Boonville, CA and his work High Sierra Sonata evokes the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the perseverance of runners who participate in high altitude running.  Ben is also a participant in the GLF "Composing Earth" project dedicated to the study of climate change, was a student at the San Francisco Conservatory of music and is a marathon runner featured in the film "Skid Row Marathon".