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Frontal encephalographic (EEG) alpha asymmetry has been proposed as a measure of the relative difference in average cortical activity between the right and left anterior cortex, where this difference is taken as a physiological marker of trait and state level variables associated with affect. The validity of asymmetry as an indicator of both physiological and psychological variables is in part determined by the psychometric properties of asymmetry scores. The present studies focus on the psychometric assessment of frontal alpha asymmetry measured during rest. The first study involves a novel approach in the assessment of the internal consistency reliability of asymmetry scores. Previous studies estimated internal consistency reliability via Cronbach's alpha, using a relatively small set of asymmetry score that summarized activity over segments of the EEG data (e.g. one minute). Such an approach, however, will create estimates dependent on the number of segments utilized rather than the total amount of data recorded. Thus in the first study, individual FFT epochs were treated as items, thereby maximizing the total number of items used to estimate internal consistency reliability. Results of this study suggest internal consistency reliability is greater than previously reported, and as such, the duration of resting EEG data necessary to achieve a reasonable reliability criterion may be shorter than the current standard. In the second study, asymmetry scores were assessed as a specific case of difference scores, which are susceptible to a statistical artifact associated with differences in true-score variance for the component measures. Predicted asymmetry scores associated with the statistical artifact were obtained by estimating the true-score variance of right and left alpha power. The use of hierarchical linear regression showed some influence of the statistical artifact on the relationship between asymmetry scores and a measure of depressive severity, suggesting that some caution may be warranted in interpreting asymmetry results with relatively small effect sizes.

Rhapsody for Saxophone and Orchestra is a work of 15 minutes duration, scored for solo alto saxophone, flute (doubling piccolo), oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, timpani, percussion, piano, and strings. Within the work, an invented harmonic structure is combined with a freely improvised melody that is subjected to a large-scale formal process of phrase expansion and contraction. Layers of musical activity, involving interval templates (defined as invariant patterns of pitches), phrase-lengths, melodic contour, referential rhytlimic gestures, and pedal-notes are set in motion from the outset. While operating independently, these musical elements converge at major section points in the work, of which there are ten. The ultimate aim is to devise engrossing musical textures that embody variation within coherence, and possess strong goal-directionality. The method of composing with interval pairs represents a novel approach to harmony, and the resulting harmonic structures underlie much, but not all of the work. In terms of melody, the predominantly step-wise and back-circling (melody which moves away from then back towards a central tone) character is also of great significance in the work, providing the basis for much canonic imitation. The commencement of a new section in the work is often marked by two gestures: a treble pedal figure, and a "bouncing" figure, which occur in the first and last quarters of the work. Examination of larger-scale structures designated as "super-sections" (each comprising three or four sections) reveals the systematic phrase expansion and contraction that juxtaposes sections with short phrases next to those with long ones. This expansion and contraction of phrases creates the ultimate structure of the work.

Poetic Afterthought is an original music composition for orchestra (2-2-2-2 / 4-2-2-1 / timp-perc / piano-harp / strings). The work comprises a cycle of seven orchestral pieces inspired by seven Chinese Classical poems. The seven orchestral pieces attempt to capture the moods and impressions of the poems while carrying hints of the original structures of the poetry as if the music speaks poetry itself.

Macula is a two-movement piece of music written for a mixed ensemble often instruments. The piece explores an aspect of visual perception in which an object seemingly becomes both larger and more detailed as it draws closer. This becomes a metaphor for the structure of the piece, where materials are gradually transformed and re-contextualized to suggest the notion of continually zooming in. The accompanying analytical paper gives a general overview of the procedures and techniques used to organize and compose the piece.

The Ghost in the Machine is a piece of music far large wind ensemble. This piece is concerned with the interrelationship between the perception of time passing in music and the level of perceived density of musical activity. Specifically, the piece is designed according to the notion that the higher the level of musical activity within smaller intervals of time, the higher the perceived level of density. The piece consists of a large-scale density envelope that spans the length of the entire piece, wherein the level of density increases gradually towards and decreases away from the climax point. The shape of this density envelope is reflected on smaller scales that operate at various levels of the music, all of which are discussed in detail in the analysis part of the thesis. These density envelopes are used as a means of structuring the listening process over the course of the piece.

Cachalote is a work for 17 musicians inspired by the study of social behavioral patterns in sperm whales. The distinctive series of clicks produced by these mammals, known as "codas," are their primary means of communication. These patterns manifest in Cachalote as a series of "sound objects", whose specific arrangement symbolizes communication, and underlines the musical discourse. The sound of field recordings provided further inspiration for the music's texture and orchestration. The composer's creation of an extra-musical narrative related to the lifecycle of sperm whales determines the appearance and ordering of the work's main gestures, and articulates the overall structure.

This thesis contains two volumes. The first is a written text that describes my compositional techniques in the context of an analysis of Codecs. The second volume is the score of this work. Volume one is divided into six sections: Introduction, harmony, rhythm and time, melodic materials, form, live electronics and future directions. Each section describes techniques and processes I developed throughout the compositional process. / Codecs was inspired by the subversive proliferation musical materials though the use of audio codecs. I developed compositional tools based on encryption and compression in order to explore the audio codec metaphor. / Volume two is the full score of Codecs, a work for large ensemble and live electronics. It is comprised of three sections and has a duration of approximately 14 minutes. The work is scored for flute (doubling on piccolo), oboe, clarinet in Bb (doubling on bass clarinet), bassoon, horn in F, trumpet, trombone, tuba, string quintet and percussion. Electronic drum pads and captured live sounds are used to control the live electronic elements.

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze my piece for orchestra and chorus, Apokalypsis, which was written in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music in Composition. An attempt will be made to present a complete analysis of the pitch and rhythmic structures, as well as important orchestration procedures, and to formulate a method of analyzing music that integrates elements of both "Function" and "non-functional" tonality.

Acheron, River of Woe is a large-scale piece for wind symphony accompanied by an analytical thesis. It is a single-movement programmatic piece lasting twelve minutes scored for a wind symphony consisting of three flutes (one doubling piccolo), two oboes, English horn, two bassoons, contrabassoon, E-flat clarinet, three B-flat clarinets, A clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, four saxophones, four trumpets, four horns, two trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, timpani, and three percussionists. This piece represents a journey on the River Acheron, inspired by quotations taken from several Greek poets of antiquity. The entire piece flows as one long, fluid stream of music, with different sonic currents, waves, and eddies moving through it. Modal theory governs its harmonic structure and is the foundation of the piece.