Album Notes

Steve Laven, BIOGRAPHY

Prior to relocating to Boston in 2006, cellist/composer Steve Laven kept a busy musical pace in Houston, performing in the Houston Ballet and Grand Opera Orchestras, with and substituting with the Houston Symphony. He has been on the faculties of Houston Baptist University and East Carolina University, the American Festival of the Arts, and has a large private studio of young cellists. Mr. Laven received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and earned his Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. Laven also served as principal cellist of the Omaha Symphony for nine years, appearing as soloist in seven consecutive seasons. A Highlight of his time in Houston was the chance to perform two Vivaldi cello concerti with the Moscow State Symphony at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, while touring with the Houston Ballet. During the past nineteen summers, he has enjoyed performing orchestral and chamber music at the Grand Teton Music Festival.

Mr. Laven's music has been performed on new music concert series in Houston and Galveston and his piece “A Barnraising” was played on the Kimmel Center “Presents” Chamber Music series by the Philadelphia Orchestra marimba quartet in May 2006. The original string quartet and subsequent trio version has been played by ensembles from the Pittsburgh, Houston, Seattle and Colorado Symphonies. His “Snake River Stomp” recently won the 2008 Texas Orchestra Director’s Association composition contest. Other music for string orchestra includes “Westward Odyssey” which won honorable mention in the 2006 Merle J. Isaac ASTA Composition Competition.

Currently Mr. Laven lives in the Boston area and plays with such groups as the Boston Pops, the Rhode Island Philharmonic and is principal cellist of the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. He has recently released a CD of his music, “Beyond the Odyssey.” The performers include his wife, Cynthia Meyers, piccolo player of the Boston Symphony.