Fusion mixes art and music

Although the 50s were the beginning of rock 'n' roll, somehow the experimental, avant-garde genre of music seeped in.

In fact, there had been early influences of the Italian futurist movement in the 1900s that concentrated on creating music through unusual kinds of musical instruments.

One of the primary instruments was a sound box, which was used to create music out of noise. Eventually, few prolific composers like John Cage and Gordon Mumma brought that kind of music into the mainstream and started the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) music movement. Since then, it has been gaining momentum.

It only makes sense for people to acknowledge this kind of art, and having it in the arts program at SCSU is a refreshing change from the norm.

This fall, SCSU did that by introducing a couple non-traditional courses, therefore adding diversity and novelty to the music department.

Professor Kristian Twombly said the class is about trying to find music where it is difficult to find.

One of them is a DIY audio class which seeks out any student "who is interested in sound" said Twombly, a professor of new media and history of rock 'n' roll.

This course is primarily about circuitry. Sound is created using basic electronic components and hardware found in devices like capacitors, resistors, chips, magnetic tapes, plugs, wires and batteries, all of which are connected to an amplifier.

These kinds of electronic elements are cheap, accessible and low-tech. It is simply a more modern version of what was practiced in the 50s and 60s.

Such a program undeniably exudes strong creative and experimental components.

It excites electronic artists to create chaotic cybernetic sound beyond the pattern of one's limitation by mixing technology and art.

Students in the DIY audio course range in majors from music, graphic design and mass communication to advertising and English.

Though Twombly sees a diverse group of students participate, he is glad to have an excited group of students who are innovative and eager to learn.

Fourth-year student and English major Issac Rotto said the course is exciting.

"I have been super fascinated by the idea of hacking electronic devices for years, so when professor Scott Miller recommended this class, I jumped at the chance," he said.

Fourth-year student and music major Logan Cheney said he believes such classes widen understanding of creating sound by learning new ways to create music through technology.

Since last month, students have been able to "hack" speakers and arrange contact microphones and speakers.

Further plans are on the way for upcoming semesters' students to build oscillators, add photocells and "hack" toys and liquid crystal display (LCD) screens.

Later, all these works will be incorporated in a final project where students will present their work of art Dec. 11 in the Grant Recital Hall in the Performing Arts Center. The time of the presentation has yet to be decided.

Courses like this stretch students' horizons as artists. This is challenging art where students work to produce sound using creative materials.

The class is not limited to music majors. Anyone with a propensity toward creativity can try this class and discover a whole new world of music.