Scott Smallwood, BA (Seattle Pacific), MMus (Miami University), MMus (Peabody Conservatory), PhD (Princeton)

Area of Study / Keywords

music composition improvisation electroacoustic music sound art audio gaming

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About

Scott Smallwood is a sound artist, composer, and sound performer who creates works inspired by discovered textures and forms, through a practice of listening, field recording, and sonic improvisation. He designs experimental electronic instruments and software, as well as sound installations and site-specific performance scenarios. Important to his process is exploring the subtleties of sonic texture through gradual transformations of timbre, particularly with sounds that may have originated from specific recordings of objects or spaces. His compositional and improvisational work makes use of space explicitly, and often involves multiple channel environments, found sounds, and non-conventional instrumentation. He works in a variety of sound and music genres, including instrumental concert and chamber music, electroacoustic music, sound art and installation, improvisatory performance, and more recently, audio game development. His work has been presented worldwide, including recent presentations at SARC in Belfast, the Issue Project Room in NYC, the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock City, Nevada, the The Hong Kong Arts Centre, and Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah, NY. His recorded work has been released on Autumn Records, Deep Listening, Wowcool, Simple Logic, Static Caravan, and Dead Definition Records.

In addition to his artistic work and research, Smallwood has been an educator in music composition and technology in the US and Canada for over 25 years. He holds music degrees from Seattle Pacific University, Miami University, Peabody Conservatory, and Princeton University, where he also held postdoctoral research associate position, working with the legendary Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk). From 1997 until 2003, he worked as a studio engineer, faculty member, and technical director in the electronic arts program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he developed a continuing interest in collaboration with artists in other media. He is currently the Director of the Sound Studies Institute at the University of Alberta, where he serves as a Professor of music composition and technology.

Websites

Artist Website (scott-smallwood.com)

Evidence

Audio Games Lab

Solarsonics

Sound Studies Institute

SPARC2

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Research

Areas of Research & Interest:

Sound Art / Installation

Field Recording

Acoustic Ecology

Phonography

Solarsonics

Interactive Technologies & Games

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Teaching

Areas of Instruction:

Composition

Music Technology

Improvisation

Electroacoustic Music

Sound Art

Acoustic Ecology

Ensemble Instruction:

XiMe (Experimental Improvisation Ensemble

ART 354 - Expanded Media: Special Projects I

Introductory studio course that explores concept-based modes of art production. Students use expanded studio methods with a focus on critical fine art practices addressing special project themes such as the Anthropocene, Social Justice, Body & Technology. Prerequisites: ART 134 and DES 135, or ART 136 and DES 138, or consent of the Department.

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ART 454 - Expanded Media: Special Projects II

Intermediate studio course that explores concept-based modes of art production. Students use expanded studio methods with a focus on critical fine art practices addressing variable topic themes such as the Anthropocene, Social Justice, Body & Technology. Prerequisites: Any 3 units of ART 35X, or consent of the Department.

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MUSIC 471 - Composition and Sonic Arts 3

Tutorial instruction in either acoustic or electronic free composition. Public performance of compositions is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 470 and consent of the Department based on portfolio review. Pre or corequisite: MUSIC 445. Registration priority given to BMus, BA (Honors) Music Major, BEd.

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MUSIC 571 - Composition and Sonic Arts 5

Tutorial instruction in either acoustic or electronic free composition. Public performance of works is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 570 (or equivalent) and consent of the Department based on portfolio review. Normally, MUSIC 571 is available only to students in the Composition and Sonic Arts Route of the BMus program.

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MUSIC 660B - Advanced Composition I

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MUSIC 661 - Advanced Composition II

Prerequisite: MUSIC 660.

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MUSIC 760B - Advanced Composition III

Restricted to DMus Composition students.

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MUSIC 761 - Advanced Composition IV

Prerequisite: MUSIC 760. Restricted to DMus Composition students.

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