New music has been experiencing a surge of popularity over the past couple decades, but, at least in the orchestral world, it still plays the role of underdog. But even if new music does become standard in orchestral concerts across the nation, the music will always be of its time and by definition will always be new; and so it will always be fun to root for.

A rundown of the 2007 Minnesota Orchestra’s Composer Institute.

More music and seminar action from the Minnesota Orchestra’s Composer Institute.

Osmo Vänskä’s focused questions made me think about my piece at a deeper level than I ever had. “What does ‘With Bite’ mean? That can be interpreted in so many different ways. Do you think that figure there will be heard? What effect are you going for here exactly?”

Simply walking into the hall and seeing the orchestra on stage got us keyed up, picturing them six nights later about to play our music.