Alex Berko

The music of American composer Alex Berko (b. 1995) has been described as "stirring" by The New York Times and "intoxicating" by The Philadelphia Inquirer 1,2 . Driven by a love of narrative and a deep interest in capturing human emotion, Berko's work is characterized by a balance of intimacy and power, a keen sense of lyricism, and emotional sensitivity.3 He often uses his music to explore questions about our personal environments and our relationships with one another.2

Early Life, Education, and Compositional Development

Alex Berko is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, where he received extensive pre-college training at the Cleveland Institute of Music preparatory division.3 This foundational experience included studies in both composition and piano.3,4 Berko is also an accomplished pianist, having won the inaugural Carl E. Baldassarre Composer/Performer Competition at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and was invited back the following year as a featured guest composer/performer.4,5

His formal education continued at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music (BM) in composition with an outside concentration in piano and a certificate in entrepreneurship.2,3 He later completed his Master of Music (MM) in composition at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music as a Brown Fellow 2,4 During his time at Rice, he also taught music theory and ear training in the preparatory department. 4,5 His compositional mentors have included Anthony Brandt, Pierre Jalbert, and David Dzubay, among others. 3

A key element in Berko's development as a composer is his philosophy that his music "straddles the lines with regard to style," viewing differing styles—whether popular, jazz, folk, or classical—as "various dialects" that allow him to fully express himself.2,6 He emphasizes collaboration, stating that "some of the most meaningful art in the 21st century thus far has been created through conversation and a continuing dialogue" with those who bring the new work to life.2,6

Interesting Facts and Noteworthy Achievements

• Regional EMMY® Award: Berko is the recipient of a regional EMMY® for a project written in collaboration with the LeBron James Family Foundation.2,6
  
  

• Piano Influence: His work Living in Color was deeply influenced by the unexpected passing of his grandmother. The piece’s central motive, a descending minor third, is first played by the piano, which Berko refers to as his "protagonist because it is my instrument and the one that my grandmother most associates with me". 7
  
  

• Inspiration from Current Events: The chamber work From the Source was inspired by his fascination with the news cycle, podcasts like The Daily and The Argument, and the contemporary focus on the reliability of source material. He sought to capture the "chatter" and "inexactness" of how stories are retold and distorted over time.8
  
  

• GRAMMY®-Nominated Recordings: Berko's choral music is featured on multiple GRAMMY®-nominated albums for Best Choral Performance, including Conspirare's House of Belonging and The Crossing's Carols After a Plague and Rising w/ The Crossing.2
  
  

• Residencies and Fellowships: He has held numerous prestigious positions, including serving as a composer-in-residence with the Louisville Orchestra as a member of their 2023-2024 Creators Corps.2 Other residencies include the Luzerne Music Center, the National Orchestra Institute, and the Ragdale Foundation.2,3
  
  

Selected Works

Berko's catalogue includes works for large ensemble, solo/chamber, and choral/vocal groups. His most recognized compositions include:

• Lincoln (2018): An unaccompanied choral work for SATB choir, commissioned by the Cathedral Choral Society and premiered at Washington National Cathedral. It reflects on the power of the individual and the non-linear nature of change.9,10
  
  

• Exodus (2021): An unaccompanied choral work for SATB choir. This piece quotes the Book of Exodus, with The Philadelphia Inquirer noting its "intoxicating wave of choral sound".2,11
  
  

• Sacred Place (2023): A work for SATB choir and piano trio.11,12
  
  

• Among Waves (2018): A large orchestra piece that received a 2021 ASCAP Morton Gould Award.3,11
  
  

• Be. (2022): A piece for large orchestra.11,13

• Limits of Your Longing (2024):49 A piece for SATB choir, piano, and cello.11
  
  

• Unstrung (2024): An orchestral work that pays homage to the bluegrass tradition of Kentucky, where Berko lived while in residency with the Louisville Orchestra.14
  
  

Footnotes and References

1. Alex Berko. Cape Symphony.

2. About. Alex Berko (Official Website).

3. Alex Berko. AFA | Music • Education • Collaboration.

4. Biography. Squarespace (PDF document).

5. Alex Berko. Cape Symphony.

6. Artist Statement. Alex Berko (Official Website).

7. Living in Color. Alex Berko (Official Website).

8. From the Source. Alex Berko (Official Website).

9. Lincoln. Alex Berko (Official Website).

10. Alex Berko - ECS Publishing.

11. Catalogue. Alex Berko (Official Website).

12. Sacred Place. Stagetime.

13. Watch & Listen. Alex Berko (Official Website).

14. Unstrung. Alex Berko (Official Website).

Resources

• Alex Berko Official Website: https://www.alexberko.com/

• Cape Symphony (Alex Berko): https://capesymphony.org/alex-berko

• AFA | Music • Education • Collaboration (Alex Berko): https://afatexas.org/faculty/alex-berko/

• ECS Publishing (Alex Berko): https://www.ecspublishing.com/composers/b/alex-berko.html