Date on Honors Thesis
5-2026
Major
Music Business
Minor
Recording Techniques
Examining Committee Member
Dr. Ash Stemke, Advisor
Examining Committee Member
Dr. Mike D'Ambrosio, Committee Member
Examining Committee Member
Dr. Matthew Gianforte, Committee Member
Abstract/Description
Subzero is a set of three compositions for piano and live electronics inspired by themes of nature and human perception. The term “live electronics” in a musical context refers to the use of technology to generate or trigger sounds in real time during a performance. These pieces were written specifically for use with a computer music program I designed using Max/MSP to respond to and accompany the performer. Subzero combines acoustic and synthesized sounds to examine three subjects of the natural world and how we, as humans, react to them. The compositional process of the set was informed in part by Mandy Williamson’s poem Cold Prey and other works for acoustic instruments with live electronics, including pieces by Christopher Cerrone, Russell Pinkston, and Jacob Thiede. Through the three parts of the set, Subzero takes the listener into uncharted musical territory and explores differing approaches to live electronics and their resulting effects.
Recommended Citation
Newton, Frank, "Subzero: Original Music for Piano and Live Electronics" (2026). Honors College Theses. 316.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/honorstheses/316
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