10,000 Hours depicts a lifetime at the piano. The title of the piece is derived from the popular theory that it takes roughly this many hours of practice to become an expert in any skill. Each of the work’s five movements sets the soloist at a different point in this practice, referencing beginner piano music, etudes, and chamber music. Along this journey, the orchestra serves as both commenter and participant.

 

10,000 Hours was premiered by soloist Nic Gerpe and the USC Thornton Symphony.

This work was awarded the Sadye J. Moss Endowed Musical Composition Prize.