“The Homework Suite opens seductively with an oboe part, followed in the other small movements with beautiful, dancing-like roles for the other soloists.”
Hans Visser
Gooi en Eemlander, 2010

• For orchestra, string quartet, string quintet, or piano
• Duration: 5:15

Seascape
Giga 
Ghost Waltz  
Berceuse 
Night Horses

Orchestration: flute (doubling piccolo), oboe, English horn, bassoon, harp, strings
Perusal score available upon request

Stream Homework Suite on the album: Orchestral Works

Stream Homework Suite on the album: Piano Pieces

COMPOSER’S NOTES
The five pieces comprising Homework Suite were written while I was studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 1961 and 1962. They weren’t actually homework assignments, but more in the nature of voluntary extra work. I wasn’t aware of the echoes of Chopin in “Ghost Waltz” and “Night Horses” until a few years later. In truth, they don’t bother me.

My teacher at the Conservatory was the renowned Sol Joseph. I was lucky. These compositions, and everything I have written since, bear something of his mark. Yes, and Chopin’s too, for although Mr. Joseph was of the twelve-tone persuasion, he taught us the old masters with instinct and conviction. I would like to be able to report what grade he gave these efforts, but it wasn’t his practice to grade them.