On Jan. 16, Rice University’s Richard Lavenda will debut “Upon Further Reflection,” the second of seven commissioned works celebrating the Shepherd School of Music’s 50th anniversary. The world premiere of the piece, which exemplifies Lavenda’s lifelong relationship with the Shepherd School, will take place in Duncan Recital Hall, spotlighting the interplay of tradition and innovation that defines the school’s past, present and future.
Lavenda’s ties to the Shepherd School date back to 1977, when he enrolled as a master’s student just two years after its founding. Now a professor of composition and theory and director of graduate studies, he has spent nearly four decades shaping the next generation of composers and musicians at the institution.
“I’ve been here for 80% of its life,” Lavenda said. “I was one of the pioneers.”
The commissioned piece highlights Lavenda’s deep connection to the school. Drawing on themes of reflection, legacy and collaboration, it embodies his personal journey while celebrating the institution’s enduring impact on the Houston arts community.
“Upon Further Reflection” builds on two earlier pieces. The first is a set of songs composed in 1990 for Shepherd Singers director Thomas Jaber based on poetry by Claudia Cooper, whose father was a founding faculty member of the school. The second is the more recent piece “Upon Reflection” — a quartet for two violas, harp and vibraphone. For the commission, Lavenda expanded the quartet into an ensemble of seven instrumentalists and two singers. He asked Cooper to write a new poem reflecting on her earlier work and took motives from the original quartet to be reflected in the new piece. The result is a multilayered artistic dialogue.
Collaboration lies at the heart of Lavenda’s process, and the ensemble for “Upon Further Reflection” features faculty, alumni and graduate students — a deliberate nod to the collaborative spirit of the Shepherd School.
“This piece represents one of the best features of the Shepherd School, which is working and performing together,” Lavenda said. “The quality of these musicians is such that it’s going to be a stunning performance. It’s a real pleasure to write a piece customized for these people.”
Lavenda has composed more than 80 works performed worldwide, ranging from chamber music to orchestral compositions. His works have been presented at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and international festivals and concerts in Europe, Australia, Israel and South Korea. He has also received numerous awards and commissions, cementing his reputation as a versatile and innovative composer.
Lavenda’s latest piece not only expresses his personal and professional journey but also underscores the importance of sustaining the art form through new works.
“Without new music, music dies,” Lavenda said. “I like to think that my work is fresh and exciting, but it’s also part of a long tradition. That tradition always needs to be refreshed, continued and challenged.”
The multiyear 50th anniversary initiative spotlights the Shepherd School’s role as a hub for both tradition and innovation.
“Courtesy of a generous grant from the Office of Research, seven composition faculty members will debut new works, each representing a unique perspective and story,” said Dean Matthew Loden. “These works are not only a reflection of our past but also a bold statement about the future of music and the vital role our Shepherd School community plays in shaping it.”
Lavenda’s commission follows the inaugural premiere in the series, Shih-Hui Chen’s “Birds Are Real; Ambushed From Ten Directions,” and sets the stage for more to come from Karim Al-Zand, Anthony Brandt, Arthur Gottschalk, Pierre Jalbert and Kurt Stallmann.
“The Shepherd School is a very special place,” Lavenda said. “We produce more than 400 concerts a year in world-class concert halls, performed by world-class students and faculty. It’s a hidden gem in many ways, but the impact it has on Houston and beyond is undeniable.”
For the Rice and Houston communities, the premiere of “Upon Further Reflection” offers a chance to celebrate the Shepherd School’s legacy.
“The importance of supporting new work and a place like the Shepherd School is that it keeps the art alive,” Lavenda said. “It keeps it vital.”
No tickets are needed for the Jan. 16 performance at Duncan Recital Hall in Alice Pratt Brown Hall, which can also be livestreamed here. For more information about “Upon Further Reflection,” click here.