movements

for Dancer, Quartet*, and Electronics

ca. 15 minutes in duration

Premiered 4/27/19 at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee

This composition is my thesis project for my MM degree. In it I explore live processing of the quartet’s sound by using a sensor to register the location of a dancer and automatically process the signals based on those movements. My goal is to achieve a feeling of non-linearism and improvisation despite the instruments having specifically notated parts, as well as creating a physical space that acts as a large, single instrument in itself.. The choreography is undefined with the intention of each performer being able to create their own interpretation of the music with each performance.

The score is available here

Required materials:

This electronics folder (coming soon!)

Pure Data (free audio processing software that applies the effects to the instrument sounds)

Processing (free coding software that maps the colors and sends the data to Pure Data)

Colored shirts and gloves as described in the score. I recommend something like in the links, but the most important aspects are bright colors to stand out from the background, and that they are comfortable for the players.

Recommended gear:

• USB Camera (at least 720p in resolution)

• Computer audio interface with at least 4 inputs and stereo output

• Piezo Barrel pickup for the clarinet

• AT Pro-35 microphone for the trombone

• Bridge pickup for the cello

more materials will be made available as they are ready

*quartet is comprised of clarinet, trombone, cello, and piano; all of which are amplified and processed via electronics.