Scott Smallwood, BA (Seattle Pacific), MMus (Miami University), MMus (Peabody Conservatory), PhD (Princeton)
Pronouns: he, him, his
Contact
Professor, Faculty of Arts - Music Dept
- ssmallwo@ualberta.ca
- Address
-
3-53 Fine Arts Building
8807 - 112 St NWEdmonton ABT6G 2C9
Director, Faculty of Arts - Sound Studies Institute
- ssmallwo@ualberta.ca
- Address
-
3-47 Arts Building (Main & Conv Hall)
113 St and 91 AveEdmonton ABT6G 2E6
Overview
Area of Study / Keywords
music composition improvisation electroacoustic music sound art audio gaming
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)
Research
Areas of Research & Interest:
Sound Art / Installation
Field Recording
Acoustic Ecology
Phonography
Solarsonics
Interactive Technologies & Games
Teaching
Areas of Instruction:
Composition
Music Technology
Improvisation
Electroacoustic Music
Sound Art
Acoustic Ecology
Ensemble Instruction:
Courses
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.
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.
MUSIC 270A - Composition and Sonic Arts 1
Prerequisite: Permission from the Department based on portfolio review. Twenty-six half-hour composition tutorials over two terms. Note: Public performance of works completed in the course will be expected. Registration priority given to BMus, BA (Honors) Music Major, BEd Music Major/Minor, and BA Music Major students.
MUSIC 270B - Composition and Sonic Arts 1
Prerequisite: Permission from the Department based on portfolio review. Twenty-six half-hour composition tutorials over two terms. Note: Public performance of works completed in the course will be expected. Registration priority given to BMus, BA (Honors) Music Major, BEd Music Major/Minor, and BA Music Major students.
MUSIC 470 - Composition and Sonic Arts 2
Tutorial instruction in either acoustic or electronic free composition. Public performance of compositions is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 270 (or equivalent) and consent of the Department based on portfolio review. Pre or corequisite: MUSIC 263. Registration priority given to BMus, BA (Honors) Music Major, BEd Music Major/Minor, and BA Music Major students.
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.
MUSIC 506 - Tutorial Study
Independent research in a specific area of the student's interest. Prerequisite: consent of Department.
MUSIC 545 - Interactive Sounds and Systems
Seminar in the design and application of interactive musical systems using media languages such as Max/MSP or equivalent. Prerequisites: Music 445 or equivalent or consent of Department.
MUSIC 570 - Composition and Sonic Arts 4
Tutorial instruction in either acoustic or electronic free composition. Public performance of compositions is required. Prerequisite: MUSIC 471 (or equivalent) and consent of the Department based on portfolio review. Normally, MUSIC 570 is available only to students in the Composition and Sonic Arts Route of the BMus program.
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.
MUSIC 660A - ADVANCED COMPOSITION I
MUSIC 660B - Advanced Composition I
MUSIC 661 - Advanced Composition II
Prerequisite: MUSIC 660.
MUSIC 760A - Advanced Composition III
Restricted to DMus Composition students.
MUSIC 760B - Advanced Composition III
Restricted to DMus Composition students.
MUSIC 761 - Advanced Composition IV
Prerequisite: MUSIC 760. Restricted to DMus Composition students.