October 21, 2008 — The Virginia Center for Computer Music at the University of Virginia celebrates 20 years of groundbreaking computer music this year. To mark the occasion, the first TechnoSonics tour will showcase the innovative research and music being created in the VCCM.
“Play,” the central theme of this year’s tour, highlights engaging trends in music including robotics, audience interaction, computer-mediated performance, video and improvisation. The 20th anniversary tour, produced with support from the U.Va. Department of Music, features improvised and composed works for humans, computers and robots performing music for squeaky toys, strings, sensor-based interactive dance, improvising ensemble, guitars, voice, computer-generated sound, video and interactive audience-driven sound sculpture.
The program includes the music of emerging composers Scott Barton, Aurie Hsu, Steve Kemper, Lanier Sammons, Troy Rogers, Peter Traub and Jonathan Zorn, as well as VCCM faculty composers Matthew Burtner, Ted Coffey and Judith Shatin. Since 1998 the TechnoSonics festival has brought cutting-edge performers and composers to Charlottesville, creating a lively mix with home-grown talent. Based in the Live Arts Theater in downtown Charlottesville, and in Old Cabell Hall on the Grounds of U.Va., the festival has featured visiting artists such as Chris Burns, F. Gerard Errante, Brad Garton, John Gibson, Bruce Mahin, James Mobberly, Charles Nichols, Douglas Repetto, Madeleine Shapiro, Barry Truax and Kojiro Umezaki.
Tour dates:
Oct. 29, University of Delaware, 8 p.m.
Oct. 30, DCCA Arts Center of Wilmington, Del. 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 31, Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space, New York, N.Y. 7p.m.
Nov. 6, Muse Workspace in Richmond, Va. 8 p.m.
Nov. 14, Live Arts, Charlottesville, Va. 8 p.m.
About the VCCM:
The Virginia Center for Computer Music, founded in 1988 by Judith Shatin, VCCM director and William R. Kenan Jr Professor, provides a rich development environment for computer music and new audio technologies. Shatin now works closely with associate director Matthew Burtner, technical director David Topper and CCT faculty member Ted Coffey to support and guide the VCCM. The center houses a wide range of computer resources including Linux and Macintosh computers, and a variety of commercial and in-house-developed software and hardware. Current work involves multichannel digital audio, interactive multimedia performance, installation art, robotics, network music and alternate controllers. In 2008 the center received major improvements including an upgraded and renovated teaching and studio facility.
Since 2002, the VCCM supports the U.Va. Music Department’s Ph.D. program in Composition and Computer Technologies. Graduates of the program now hold faculty positions at Yale University and Oberlin College, and their music and research is regularly commissioned, performed
“Play,” the central theme of this year’s tour, highlights engaging trends in music including robotics, audience interaction, computer-mediated performance, video and improvisation. The 20th anniversary tour, produced with support from the U.Va. Department of Music, features improvised and composed works for humans, computers and robots performing music for squeaky toys, strings, sensor-based interactive dance, improvising ensemble, guitars, voice, computer-generated sound, video and interactive audience-driven sound sculpture.
The program includes the music of emerging composers Scott Barton, Aurie Hsu, Steve Kemper, Lanier Sammons, Troy Rogers, Peter Traub and Jonathan Zorn, as well as VCCM faculty composers Matthew Burtner, Ted Coffey and Judith Shatin. Since 1998 the TechnoSonics festival has brought cutting-edge performers and composers to Charlottesville, creating a lively mix with home-grown talent. Based in the Live Arts Theater in downtown Charlottesville, and in Old Cabell Hall on the Grounds of U.Va., the festival has featured visiting artists such as Chris Burns, F. Gerard Errante, Brad Garton, John Gibson, Bruce Mahin, James Mobberly, Charles Nichols, Douglas Repetto, Madeleine Shapiro, Barry Truax and Kojiro Umezaki.
Tour dates:
Oct. 29, University of Delaware, 8 p.m.
Oct. 30, DCCA Arts Center of Wilmington, Del. 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 31, Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space, New York, N.Y. 7p.m.
Nov. 6, Muse Workspace in Richmond, Va. 8 p.m.
Nov. 14, Live Arts, Charlottesville, Va. 8 p.m.
About the VCCM:
The Virginia Center for Computer Music, founded in 1988 by Judith Shatin, VCCM director and William R. Kenan Jr Professor, provides a rich development environment for computer music and new audio technologies. Shatin now works closely with associate director Matthew Burtner, technical director David Topper and CCT faculty member Ted Coffey to support and guide the VCCM. The center houses a wide range of computer resources including Linux and Macintosh computers, and a variety of commercial and in-house-developed software and hardware. Current work involves multichannel digital audio, interactive multimedia performance, installation art, robotics, network music and alternate controllers. In 2008 the center received major improvements including an upgraded and renovated teaching and studio facility.
Since 2002, the VCCM supports the U.Va. Music Department’s Ph.D. program in Composition and Computer Technologies. Graduates of the program now hold faculty positions at Yale University and Oberlin College, and their music and research is regularly commissioned, performed
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October 21, 2008
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