Crash Course: The Building Blocks of Acousmatic Music
Compose with fire! That’s right, in the world of electronic and computer music, composers often record unmusical sound and turn it into powerful sonic metaphor. This crash course in acousmatic music will explore examples of sound objects and processing and mixing techniques. Then, we’ll travel through underground New York and the jungles of Costa Rica to gather materials that we will turn into full pieces of acousmatic music. Intended for newcomers to electro-acoustic music, no computer or technical experience is needed; bring your open ears and your desire to learn about new musical worlds.
About your host
Tom Lopez teaches at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he is Associate Professor of Computer Music and Digital Arts, Chair of the Technology in Music and Related Arts Department, and Director of the Contemporary Music Division. He is also the Director of the Computer Music Program at The Walden School. He has appeared at festivals and conferences around the world as a guest lecturer and composer. His compositions have received critical acclaim and appear on CD releases by Centaur, Vox Novus, SCI, and SEAMUS.
Recommended Listening:
- Natasha Barrett
- Michel Chion
- Francis Dhomont
- Gilles Gobeil
- Annette Vande Gorne
- Jonty Harrison
- Elainie Lillios
- Tom Lopez
- Paul Rudy
- Hildegard Westerkamp
- Mark Wingate
Further Reading:
Living Electronic Music
by Simon Emmerson
On Sonic Art
by Trevor Wishart (Author), Simon Emmerson (Editor)
The Language of Electroacoustic Music
by Simon Emmerson (Editor)