Spaces Traversed: Master of Music Portfolio Submission Thesis

Abstract

From an early age I have felt a sense of impermanence running as a thread through my life as a result of moving frequently as a child and young adult. I am finding that this has not only influenced my attitudes today, but has also instilled in me a great appreciation of tradition, ritual and nostalgia for past personal experiences. The electroacoustic music that I produce is similarly infused by these themes, and I find myself drawn to spatial concepts, sounds from past eras and familiar images that I may use as sources for suggesting memory recollection and time’s passing in my work. This understanding has led me to pursue academic research within these areas, with the intention of better expressing these themes. Concentrations that I address within this commentary include: electroacoustic music reception and appreciation; communication in music; cognitive psychology and multimodal integration. Each of these inquiries has been born from a creative interest or compositional challenge. The purpose of this portfolio, therefore, is to draw together and reflect upon the work I have completed over the course of a Master of Music degree. Split into three parts, the portfolio is comprised of two compositional works (Recall II (2010), for viola, Max/MSP and electroacoustic sound; and A Thread (2011), for sewing machine and Max/MSP), and this critical commentary. I will discuss relevant details relating to the development of this portfolio, including the progression and realisation of compositional ideas, as well as technological challenges and strategies. To provide appropriate context for the presentation of these creative works and research outcomes I will also touch upon my professional experiences during this period, which have included concerts and installations at national and international symposiums; research presentations at specialist international conferences and also the opportunity to discuss my compositional process on New Zealand national radio. I believe the contribution of this portfolio to the greater electroacoustic music field is the documented process of a united research and compositional approach informed by personal discourse.