Recorded April 15th at the Rice University Composers Forum Concert Performers: Violins - Julian Nguyen, Carmen Abelson, Rebecca Nelson, Chelsea Sharpe Violas - Carey Skinner, Philip Marten Cellists - Daniel Kopp, Ariana Nelson. Program notes: Octet for Strings is the result of my experimentation with symmetrical vs. asymmetrical musical ideas. This conflict between symmetry and asymmetry manifests itself throughout the many musical dimensions of the piece, including orchestration, harmony, timbre, and form.