Christopher Biggs CV

Education

  • DMA in Music Composition • University of Missouri-Kansas City May 2010 • Principal composition teachers: James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Joao Pedro Oliveira • 4.0 GPA
  • MM in Music Composition • University of Arizona • May 2006 • Principal composition teachers: Daniel Asia, Craig Walsh
  • BA in Print Journalism with a minor in Music Theory • American University • May 2002

Teaching Experience Summary

  • Western Michigan University • Assisstant Professor of Digital Composition • August 2011—present
  • Iowa Western Community College • Full Time Instructor  • August 2010 – May 2011
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City  • Preparing Future Faculty Fellow and Various Teaching Appointments • August 2006 - May 2010
  • Kansas City, Kansas Community College • Adjunct Instructor • Spring 2007
  • University of Arizona • Music Theory • Fall 2005

Teaching Experience Specifics

Courses Taught and Curriculum Developed

Iowa Western Community College

  • Sound Technology • Course for Technical Music Majors, Technical Theatre Majors, and an Elective Course • Fall 2010 and Spring 2011
  • Pro Tools 101 • Course for Technical Music Majors and an Elective Course  • Fall 2010 and Spring 2011
  • MIDI  • Course for Technical Music Majors and an Elective Course  • Fall 2010
  • Recording Ensemble • Course for Technical Music Majors and an Elective Course  • Fall 2010 and Spring 2011
  • Applied Music Lessons • Elective • Music Composition Lessons • Two Sections • Fall 2010 and Spring 2011
  • Notation • Course for Technical Music Majors and Music Majors  • Spring 2011

Courses Created

University of Missouri-Kansas City

  • Composition Pedagogy • Graduate course • Created and taught with James Mobberley • Spring 2008 and Spring 2010
  • Electronic Music Composition • Upper level undergraduate course • Developed due to student requests as an undergraduate max/msp course • Fall 2009

Courses Taught

University of Missouri-Kansas City

  • Computer Programming for Musicians • Graduate and undergraduate sections • Taught with Paul Rudy • Fall 2008
  • Orchestration • Upper level undergraduate course • Spring 2009
  • Creative Collaborations • Graduate and undergraduate sections • Taught with Mara Gibson • Spring 2009
  • Electronic Music Techniques I • Undergraduate course • Fall 2008
  • Electronic Music Techniques II • Undergraduate course • Spring 2008

Kansas City, Kansas Community College

  • Applications for Computer Music • Undergraduate Course • Spring 2007

University of Arizona

  • 20th Century Form and Analysis • Upper level undergraduate course • Fall 2005

Additional Teaching Experience

  • University of Missouri-Kansas City Academy’s Summer Composition Workshop • 2010
  • Private lessons in composition and technology • 2007-10
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City Composer Mentorship program • 2006-8
  • University of Missouri–Kansas City Composers in the Schools program • 2006-7
  • Music theory and musicianship tutor • University of Arizona • 2004-6

Awards/Honors

  • 2011 Truman State University/Macro Analysis Creative Research Organization Composition Competition Award and Commission • Object Metamorphosis • 2010
  • SCI Journal of Scores • MHCHAOS • 2010
  • Finalist for a Charlotte Street Award for Performing and Generative Artists • 2010
  • SEAMUS/ASCAP Student Award (1st Prize) • 2009
  • Preparing Future Faculty Fellowship • University of Missouri, Kansas City • 2007-10
  • Runner-up for Sheppard Distinguished Composer Award • Music Teacher’s National Association • 10-33 • 2009
  • Nominated for a Charlotte Street Award for Performing and Generative Artists • 2009
  • Finalist for a Charlotte Street Award for Performing and Generative Artists • 2008
  • Missouri Composer of the Year • Missouri Music Teacher’s Association • 2008
  • Grant • Northern Trust/Piper Enrichment Fund • 2006

Guest Composer

  • Truman State New Music Festival • Guest Composer—Master Classes and Lectures • 2011
  • Electroacoustic Juke Joint • 2010

 Conference/Festival Presentations

  • SEAMUS • 2011, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006
  • New Music Festival of the University of Nebraska at Kearney • 2011
  • Noise Floor • 2011
  • Navy Band Symposium Saxophone Festival • 2010
  • Electronic Music Midwest • 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005
  • Spark Festival of Electronic Music and Art • 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
  • Electroacoustic Juke Joint • 2009, 2008, 2007
  • SCI Regional Conferences • 2009, 2007
  • University of Central Missouri New Music Festival • 2009
  • Missouri Music Teacher’s Association Conference • 2008
  • SCI Student National Conference • 2008
  • June in Buffalo • 2008, 2006
  • 6th Annual Conference of Arts and Humanities • 2008
  • Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival • 2006
  • California Ear Unit Composer’s Workshop • 2006
  • National Saxophone Association Annual Conference • 2006
  • Imagine2 • 2006, 2005
  • NWEAMO • 2005

 Adjudication Experience

  • Society for Composers, Inc. CD Series • 2010
  • Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance Commission • 2010
  • Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance Call for Scores • 2010
  • SEAMUS Conference • 2010
  • Missouri Music Teacher’s Association Composer of the Year Award • 2009
  • Missouri Music Teacher’s Association Student Awards • 2009
  • Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance Newbie Commissions • 2009
  • Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance Newbie Commissions • 2008

Guest Lectures/Presentations

  • Analysis of “Object Metamorphosis” • Macro Musicians Workshop• Madison, WI• 2011
  • Presentation on My Music • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater • Composition Class • 2010  
  • Electro<>acústico lecture recital • Roosevelt University Composition Seminar• 2010
  • Writing for Electronics • University of Missouri-Kansas City Academy’s Summer

Composition Workshop  • 2010

  • Fast Fourier Transforms and Processing • University of Missouri-Kansas City • Graduate Electronic Music Composition Class • 2010
  • Perceptual Confluence: Cognitive Issues Relating to Multimedia Works  • University of Missouri-Kansas City  • Creative Collaboration Course  • 2010
  • Presentation/Master Class  • Kansas City Art Institute  • Senior Thesis Course • 2009
  • Multimedia Collaboration  • Kansas City Art Institute  • Collaboration Class • 2008
  • Developing Variation in Berg’s Op. 1 • University of Arizona • 20th Century Music Theory Course • 2006

Entrepreneurial Initiative and Management Experience

  • Co-founder of a Non-profit • The Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance

Music Production, Ensembles, Live Sound, and Studio Work

Electro<>Acústico: duo for clarinet and electronics

  • Member, Electronics and Sound Reinforcement
    • Fall 2010 Tour
      • University of Columbia-Missouri • 2010
      • University of Dubuque • 2010
      • University of Wisconsin-Whitewater• 2010
      • Northern Illinois University • 2010
      • Illinois State University • 2010
      • Elmhurst University • 2010
      • Roosevelt University • 2010

Quadrivium: flute, clarinet, cello, piano, and electronics

  • Electroacoustic Sound Artist for the Ensemble • 2010-11

NewEar Contemporary Music Ensemble

  • Production Manager, 2008-9
    • Beyond Minimalism • 2008
    • Kansas City Connections  • 2008
    • Crossing Acoustic Spaces  • 2009
    • Music of Györgi Ligeti  • 2009
  • Technical Assistant, 2007-8
    • Sounds of the Northwest Hemisphere  • 2007
    • Climbing Parnassus  • 2007
    • Three English Gentlemen  • 2008
    • Pacific Rim  • 2008

Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance

  • Board of Directors • 2010-11
  • Vice-President, Artistic Director, Production Manager, Board of Directors •2009-10
    • ArtSounds: ElectroKatharsis • 2009
    • Call and Response with Kansas City Jazz Museum • 2009
    • KcEMA at Electronic Music Midwest  • 2009
    • KcEMA Newbie Commissions • 2009
    • KcEMA KcEnnections with Paul Rudy  • 2010
    • Quadrivium Novem with Quadrivium Ensemble  • 2010
  • Production Manager, Artistic Director, Incorporation Director, 2008-9
    • KcEMA and Friends  • 2008
    • ArtSounds: e-motion  • 2008
    • I See a Cat with Paul Rudy  • 2008
    • I See You with Sonict Ensemble • 2009
    • Minima  • 2009
    • (Re)Structured with Brad Baumgardner  • 2009
  • Production Manager, Artistic Director, Cofounder, 2007-8
    • ArtSounds: Synthaestic Spaces • 2007
    • Life Like Driftwood • 2007
    • Wit(ness) with Eric Honour • 2008
    • Awesome Box • 2008
    • Experimental with Mark Snyder • 2008
    • Interactive Gestures with Joao Pedro Oliviera • 2008

University of Missouri, Kansas City Academy’s Summer Composition
            Workshop

  • Technical Director, 2010

University of Missouri, Kansas City

  • Studio Manager, 2006-7
    • Student Composer’s Concerts
    • Musica Nova Concerts

University of Arizona

  • Studio Assistant, 2004-6
    • Assist with studio maintenance
    • Assist students working in the studio

Primary Research Interests

  • Perception and Multimedia Works
  • Aesthetic Considerations for Digital Media Art
  • Music Composition Pedagogy
  • Post-Tonal Music Theory

Graduate Papers in Music Courses

  • Medieval Associations from a Postmodern Mind: Michel Chion’s “Requiem”
  • Facilitating Change: Jean-Baptiste Lully and The Oboe
  • Textural, Pitch, and Harmonic Conflict and Synthesis in the Exposition of Mozart’s Symphony No. 35
  • Deconstructing the Boulez-Cage Correspondence
  • Precedents and Innovations: Framing Issues Surrounding György Ligeti’s Claims of Artistic Autonomy
  • Perceptual Reconciliation of Live Instruments and Digital Media
  • Process and Structure in Ligeti’s “Sting Quartet No. 1”
  • Developing Variation in Berg’s “Piano Sonata in B-Minor, Op. 1”
  • Materials, Function, and Form in the 1st Movement of Ligeti’s “Piano Concerto”

Selected Software/Programming

Software

  • Digital Audio Workstations
    • Digital Performer
    • Logic
    • Pro Tools
    • Cubase
    • Garage Band
  • Object-Based Programming
    • MAX/MSP/Jitter
    • Bidule
  • Audio Editing Software
    • Peak Pro
    • Audacity
  • Notation Software
    • Sibelius
  • Synthesis Software
    • Reason
    • Absynth
    • Reaktor
  • Software Samplers
    • Mach5
    • Kontact
  • Plug-in and Specialty Software
    • Metasynth
    • Spear
    • Spectron
    • Waves
    • Hipno
    • Pluggo
    • Soundsoap
    • Kyma
    • NI Komplete
    • Bias Master Perfection Suite
  • Video and Photo Software
    • Adobe Production Suite
    • Final Cut Express
    • Processing
  • Website Software
    • Dreamweaver
    • Basic Java

Programming           

  • James Mobberley • Vox Inhumana • for NewEar
  • Jorge Sosa • Refraction I  • for Electro<>Acústico
  • James Mobberley • Going with the Fire • for Rebecca Ashe
  • Alvin Lucier • Ever Present • for NewEar
  • Harold Budd • Children on the Hill • arranged by Kyle Gann • for 2nd International Minimalist Conference

Recordings

  • MHCHAOS • SEAMUS CD Series • 2010
  • Exterminate all the Brutes • Eric Honour solo CD (forthcoming)
  • S**p Crackle *O* • Christopher Biggs • Metatexts • 2009
  • P.S. My Uncle Helped Develop the Patriot Missile • Christopher Biggs and Pangea Piano Project • Metatexts • 2009
  • New Years • Christopher Biggs • Metatexts • 2009

Master Class Participation

  • Hans Tutschku • 2008
  • Charles Dodge • 2008
  • Cort Lippe • 2008
  • Roberto Morales • 2008
  • Morton Subotnick • 2008
  • Ben Thigpen • 2008
  • Frederic Rzewski • 2007
  • David Felder • 2006
  • Bernard Rands • 2006
  • Harvey Sollberger • 2006
  • Augusta Read Thomas • 2006
  • Charles Wuorinen • 2006

Selected List of Compositions

Electronics and Instruments

  • The BFG • toy piano and live electronics • commissioned by Keith Kirchoff • 2010
  • P.S. My Uncle Helped Develop the Patriot Missile • piano duo and digital audio • commissioned by Pangea Piano Project • 2009
  • Sunbathing Galaxy • guitar and live electronics • written for Magnus Andersson to perform at June in Buffalo • 2007-8
  • MHCHAOS • flute and live electronics • commissioned by Rebecca Ashe • 2007-8
  • The Role of Fruit and Alchemy • harp and digital audio • commissioned by Shuri Okajima • 2006
  • Inconspicuous Impulses • piano and digital audio • commissioned by Shu-Cheng Ching • 2006
  • Exterminate all the Brutes • saxophone and digital audio • commissioned by Elizabeth Bunt • 2006
  • The Capgras’ Patience Wanes • saxophone and quadraphonic digital audio • written for Elizabeth Bunt •2005

Multimedia

  • Amass • clarinet and interactive digital audio and video • written for Mauricio Salguero • 2011
  • Externalities • cello and digital audio and video • written for Madeline Shapiro • 2011
  • The Ends of Histories • piano, digital video, and live electronics • commissioned by Kari Johnson • 2010
  • Mindreaders • flute, clarinet, digital video, and live electronics • commissioned by Sophia Tegart and Gabrielle Buffoni • 2010
  • Bioluminescence • flute, clarinet, piano, digital audio and video • commissioned by SEAMUS/ASCAP • 2009-10
  • 10-33 • clarinet and fixed media audio/video • commissioned by the Missouri Music Teacher’s Association and Music Teacher’s National Association • 2008/10
  • Promethea • alto saxophone, digital and video • collaboration with Barry Anderson, video artist • commissioned by Elizabeth Bunt • 2009
  • S**p Crackle *O* • fixed media audio and video • 2008/09
  • S**p Crackle *O* • fixed media audio and dance • collaboration with Paula Weber, choreographer• 2008
  • Radiation • live electronics—video and audio • collaboration with Tyler Galloway, video artist • 2007
  • Unbalanced • trs cable, guitar amplifier, human subject, live electronics, and video • 2006/09

Digital Audio

  • New Years • digital audio • 2008
  • Three Places in my Room • digital audio • 2005

Large Ensemble (with and without electronics)

  • Object Metamorphosis II • wind ensemble and digital audio • commissioned by Macro—Macro Analysis Creative Research Organization • 2011
  • Object Metamorphosis • wind ensemble and digital audio • written for UMKC Wind Symphony • 2009-10
  • Impromptu Waterpark • wind ensemble • 2008
  • As Quietly they Calculate • chamber orchestra • 2006
  • Little Side Steps • orchestra • 2005

Chamber Music

  • Bioluminescence, 37 • flute, viola, harp • commissioned by the Alati Ensemble • 2007
  • Special Anxieties • flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, percussion • written for the
  • California Ear Unit’s Composer Symposium • 2006
  • Nommo Spacecraft or Interplanetary Spore • guitar • written for Magnus Andersson • 2006
  • Five Sections • saxophone quartet • 2005
  • Premonition of an Afterthought • viola and piano • 2004
  • Ping-Pong Variations • piano • 2003-6

Professional Memberships

  • Macro Analysis Creative Research Organization
  • Society for Electroacoustic Music in the United States
  • College Music Society
  • Society for Composers, Inc.