The composer took his seat in Esber Recital Hall Saturday afternoon, awaiting the world premiere performance of his new work.

Seated a few rows in front of him were his parents, Joyce and John Buck. The occasion was Joyce Buck's retirement after 25 years at Penn State, and the new composition was written for her by her son, Peter Buckland.

"How many mothers can say that their retirement gift from their child is a creative work?" she said.

Joyce Buck recently retired from the position of division of undergraduate studies coordinator in the College of Arts and Architecture.

She said for her retirement, instead of just having a party as some other staff members do, she wanted to have a concert to raise money for the Joyce Buck Division of Undergraduate Studies Award.

"We really believe in public education," she said. "We know what it is to have to pay to go to school."

Suzanne Roy, associate professor emerita of music, introduced Joyce Buck at the event, saying the two have been friends for many years.

"What motivates Joyce, at least in my view, is an enormous generosity," Roy said. "The gift is not so much ours as it is hers."

The concert began with a piano performance from distinguished professor of music Marylène Dosse, who played three compositions by Frederick Chopin.

When Dosse finished playing, Joyce Buck gave her flowers and embraced her onstage.

Next, a black harpsichord with red and gold detailing was wheeled into place as the Penn State Baroque Ensemble tuned their instruments backstage. They opened with music by Antonio Vivaldi before performing two pieces by Peter Buckland.

Rob Nairn, director of the ensemble, said he was delighted to take part in the concert to honor Joyce Buck.

"I've known her as a friend for a very long time, and it's a great pleasure for us to play," he said.

Peter Buckland said the first piece the ensemble played, "Notes on the Proceedings of the Imperial Secretariat's Cabinet," was written specifically for his mother.

"I composed one piece for this occasion that blends some types of music that she really likes," he said. "The main melody in the piece is a reference to 18th century Italian opera."

In the printed notes to the piece, he described his mother as "assuredly the most revered member of the imperial secretariat's cabinet -- a woman of exacting detail, fine taste and warm humor."

The notes also offered something for audience members to contemplate as they listened to the music.

"But what happens when the mercurial trolley of whimsy picks up our scribe while she jots?" the notes asked.

"No doubt she takes a ride through the Dolomites, visits the Florence cathedral and perhaps enjoys the regal walk under its celestial dome."

The second Buckland piece the ensemble played, "Encomium: In Memorium Alfred Schnittke," ended with each of the musicians walking off stage one by one while still playing their instruments, until only the harpsichord player was left behind.

Buckland's parents smiled and laughed throughout the performance.

John Buck praised his son's work.

"He's written a wonderful piece. It's just heart-stopping," he said.

Buckland said he received some interesting reactions after the performance.

"I had some people tell me to stop doing drugs," he said.

Buck said she plans to use her retirement to travel and do volunteer work, as well as remaining active in the National Academic Advising Association, on which she once served as vice president.

"It feels good, change is good," she said about her retirement.

"I'm going to miss colleagues and the time I had with students watching them grow up."