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PhD and Post Doctoral research University of Surrey

PhD by composition  Dr Jill Jarman Using science and the natural environment to inform musical composition: A portfolio of original compositions, with a subsidiary research project 'Audience reception and promotion of contemporary classical music in the UK’.

Music research focused on compositions that saught to answer questions of how, and to what extent, science and the natural environment can inform musical composition. This enquiry in part addressed the research project question of how contemporary classical music could connect with a wider public without compromising the music.

Composition portfolio Soundwaves of light (2005) Written for large orchestra and infromed by light emissions from the stars. Tone rows and harmonies were decided upon based on calculations of a stars frquency. the calculations were provided by Dr Paul Stevenson, University of Surrey. Clouds (2007) Is informed by the natural environment, written for unnacompanied chamber choir and soprano soloist, and draws upon an eclectic mix of vocal styles. Shadows (2008) Written for a wind, brass and percussion ensemble bringing together jazz and classical performers. H2O (2009-10) The behaviour of an orchestra is dictated by the molecular structure of water in three different states; solid, liquid, and gas. A new chordal device, polychords of limited transposition, was designed to take dominant-seventh-type chords away from an obvious tonality.

If you would like to see scores and hear samples with a view to performance please email.