BERKELEY SYMPHONY COMPOSERS PROJECT. Sunday March 6 1994

Kent Nagano introduces the symphony's first annual composers project, "Under Construction," which offers open rehearsal and performance of new works by Bay Area composers.

This program includes Ross Bauer's "Halcyon Birds," Chen Yi's Piano Concerto with soloist Sarah Cahill, Donald Cobb's "Ensemble," and Daniel Steven Crafts's "Contemporaries." Karla Lemon and Loren Tayerle conduct this project, which allows composers to hear what their music sounds like and audiences a chance to eavesdrop on the performance-in-progress.

Bauer teaches at UC Davis and his piece will be premiered by the Rohnert Park Symphony; Chinese composer Chen Yi is currently composer-in-residence with the Women's Phiharmonic and Chanticleer, and her Concerto uses the form of an ancient Chinese folk song as well as the Fibonacci series; Cobb's piece was inspired by a Henry Cowell string quintet; and Crafts's piece, comprised of short works with satirical titles, began with a set for solo piano in 1989.

Free. 7 pm. ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. 841-2800.