In the Beginning…: A work for big band and electronics

• Other Authors: Alvarez, John (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Music
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-0187

My inital idea for this piece came from the simple concept of marrying electronics and live instruments. This is something I have heard done before but that I never had attempted myself. I have also wanted to musically represent the Big Bang theory for sometime now. As opposed to most creation stories put to music by other composers which tend to be religious in nature, this work is intended to be a SECULAR creation story; A work paying hommage to the beauty and elegance of science. Having attended several big band jazz concerts at the University of Central Florida, I fell in love with the great big wall of sound created by this ensemble. The problem was that most big band music was traditionally written in the context of jazz. I wanted to discover what this ensemble could sound like if presented in a different context. My decision to have the electronics be in 5.1 surround sound was influenced by my desire to give the audience an immersive experience. Like a rock concert, I want the audience to be swimming in a sea of sound. === A Thesis submitted to the College of Music in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Music. === Spring Semester, 2011. === April 4, 2011. === Big band, Electronics === Includes bibliographical references. === Mark Wingate, Professor Directing Thesis; Ladislav Kubik, Committee Member; Evan Allan Jones, Committee Member.