Sound and Space

Dec 14, 2021
Clemson University

This independent study focuses on the writing and production of short pieces of experimental music composed to convey the experience of being in particular spaces of architectural significance. These pieces of music also give the listener a sense of the physical features of the space through the natural aural qualities of the completed pieces of music. The two spaces selected to serve as case studies for this project were the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA, and the Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Asheville, NC.

This project was featured in an article for ClemsonNews in 2022 by John Eby which can be seen through the button below.

The process of composing these pieces of music started with visiting the selected architectural spaces and recording the specific ambient sounds of those spaces. These sounds included people talking, the sounds of footsteps, elevator chimes, doors opening and closing, and the hum of air conditioning units, and more. After recording these specific sounds, the process of writing and production began, combining the recorded sounds with traditional instrumentation to create a short soundscape that captures the experience of each space.

After the music was completed, a second visit to each space was conducted in order to play the finished compositions within the spaces. While the music was being played in each space, it was recorded to capture how the unique acoustical properties of the spaces shape sound. This recording was then mixed into the original composed piece of music to create a cohesive audio experience.