Kerrith Livengood, a PhD candidate in composition and theory, was awarded the American Philosophical Society's inaugural Musical Composition Award for Persiflage, a trio for flute, harp, and viola. Livengood received the award of $2,000, a premiere performance, and a handsome certificate signed by APS President Baruch Blumberg during the Society's annual meeting on November 13, 2009. Livengood describes Persiflage as,

“a kind of study in dense textures and colorful timbral effects; it has a sort of overall quality of busyness and almost nervousness to it. It's called Persiflage because it seems to be constantly humming and chattering, but not necessarily about anything important, although there are some moments of solidity and clarity.”

Kerrith Livengood is currently working on her dissertation and is an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow for the 2009–10 academic year. She also remains active as a flutist with new music group Alia Musica Pittsburgh and recently formed an ensemble with fellow grad student Ben Harris called The Outer Circle. Oriented toward improvisation and open works, The Outer Circle will give its first concert in Pittsburgh on December 4.