Part 1 Possibilities

I was asked to write an essay in three parts as part of my application to Dartmouth. I thought I'd share some of my ideas.

What specific aspects of music and technology are you interested in?

“I am interested in possibility. Projects possible now. Projects that were not possible yesterday.”

At the beginning of the 21^st century the stage has been set for a revolution in the way people experience music. Increasingly advanced technologies, file sharing, low hardware prices and the open source movement have planted the seeds of change, not only the music industry, but the way people experience music in general.

I have seen augmented reality technology transformed into a stunning musical interface, where the user manipulates IR equipped physical objects overlaid with an interactive digital projection. I have experienced virtual 3D sound environments that push the boundaries of immersive experience. I watch, as old music business models based on greed and commercialism are slowly undermined by new and creative ways of thinking And, I am convinced that we have only begun.

I am a composer. I am interested in anything that gives me more expressive possibility. When I see all these disparate technologies, each pushing in their own direction, I see a climate where the potential for creative expression is astronomical.

More than anything, I am interested in learning how to take control of, and build on existing technologies. New interfaces, new sound experiences, new ways of sharing these experiences with the world.

I have experience with Max/Msp, VSTI, sequencers, audio editors, motion capture interfaces, visualization generators etc. However, despite the incredible recent advances in these fields, I am left feeling as though these technologies are still in their infancy. I am interested in being part of their development, in positioning myself in such a way that I can be ready when the ball drops and these new technologies begin to really take off. And, I'd like to have been part of it.