RANDS LEAVING UCSD BUT WILL KEEP HIS S.D. SYMPHONY POST

Bernard Rands, the Pulitzer Prize-winning modern composer who has taught composition at UC San Diego for 10 years, will join the faculty of Boston University this fall. But he will continue as the San Diego Symphony’s composer-in-residence at least through the 1985-86 season.

Rand’s resignation from UCSD will be effective at the end of the spring quarter in June, and he will take the post of professor of composition at Boston University in September. Rands, 51, was awarded the 1983 Pulitzer Prize in music for his song cycle “Canti Del Sole,’ and in December he gave the world premiere of a new work with the San Diego Symphony, “Suites No. 1 and 2: Le Tambourin,” to critical acclaim.

Rands could not be reached for comment. But San Diego Symphony music director David Atherton told the Times Monday that Rands’ relocation to Boston would not necessarily diminish his ability to contribute to the orchestra.

“It’s unfortunate that someone coined the phrase ‘composer-in-residence,’ because it doesn’t mean anything other than that the composer and orchestra have a close relationship,” said Atherton. “Bernard and I discussed the whole thing a few weeks ago, and it’s our full intention that his relationship (with the orchestra) will continue as it has. We do most of our talking and working on the phone anyway, and so the fact that he’s not physically here won’t be too difficult.”

Atherton added that he and Rands have already discussed the orchestra’s 1986-87 subscription season, in which Rands will be involved in planning and composing. Atherton also confirmed that Rands would return here in November when the orchestra will premiere a new work he is composing for the opening of the orchestra’s new Symphony Hall (formerly downtown’s Fox Theatre). In May, 1986, Rands will return to conduct “Canti Del Sole” and his previous song cycle, “Canti Lunatici.”

Rands reportedly will receive a substantial salary from Boston University--a salary which UCSD was prepared to match. But according to Atherton, Rands views the move as a great opportunity.

“I’m sorry he’s leaving because he’s a close personal friend,” Atherton said. “But I feel very pleased for him that he’s had this wonderful post opened. It really is the sort of position that allows him to do the many things he’s interested in.