Lady Gaga was huge. I had just gotten back from China playing piano for the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. I believe they played that Bogey march. So I made some sort of mashup of the two.
I remember writing the Alkan Concerto inspired parts on paper in the yard around Memorial Union, coming up with ways to distribute the complexity load amongst the musicians. I'd think and use these techniques in compositions for years to come.
I wasn't there for the reading. I think it was done in Leo Saguiguit. Friend and classmate Michael Anderson helped put the reading session together.