A SURVEY OF PERFORMANCE PRACTICE OF ELECTROACOUSTIC MUSIC FOR WIND BAND GRADES 2-3

Abstract

Electro-acoustic music for wind band is an emerging genre among contemporary composers that incorporates and blends an electronic soundtrack and cues with traditional wind nstruments. Conductors may be required to understand and to acquire new skills when preparing this literature including becoming comfortable using headphones to follow a “click track” metronome and an audio track with the electronic sounds while conducting in performance. To integrate electronic sounds with live musicians, the conductor must have a comprehensive understanding of the technologies involved. These challenges and considerations may discourage conductors from programming electro-acoustic repertoire. Yet there is a wealth of excellent new music in this genre that would be beneficial for students and enjoyable for audiences. There is a need to have appropriate models illustrating how these various elements work independently and how they are brought together and used to build a sequential rehearsal progression. This paper will examine how to effectively navigate through the technology requirements as they relate to rehearsal preparation and performance of three grade 2 to 3 wind band works: Paper Cut (2010) by Alex Shapiro and Coil (2014) and The Machine Awakes (2012) by Steven Bryant. As technology continues to make it easier to integrate electronic sounds into electro-acoustic music, the process will become more seamless. Composer Steven Bryant states, “we will no longer talk about ‘electro-acoustic’ music” but simply accept it as a “standard possibility.”