C.R. KASPRZYK

EMPAC/Tutschku

// June 27th, 2011 // composition, technology

I went to a movie the other day; the speakers were disappointing.

I recently returned from EMPAC in Troy, NY, where I worked on a new, 24-channel work. (I hope to continue work on this piece in the near future, as well as provide a binaural downmix.) Under the guidance of the inimitable Hans Tutschku, I found the experience to be quite transforming. It was wonderful to absorb the massive amount of information offered alongside a great group of participants, including two familiar faces and several new ones. (The Boursier-Mougenot was quite enjoyable during down time.)

The culminating concert was a very satisfying experience. One person greeted the (large) audience, a composer would briefly discuss their work prior to its performance, the audience would applaud and then we would move to the next work. No programs, just the composers and loudspeakers.

While Tutschku proved enlightening, the week yielded something else that remains obvious. EMPAC is clearly one of the best thought-out, most extraordinary facilities available for a beautiful marriage of science and arts. Like the other halls and studios present, the Goodman Studio was perhaps the most ideal setting for the multichannel works. EMPAC is without doubt, one of the most essential venues around; five million cubic feet of incredible.

My thanks to Goebel and those at EMPAC, Tutschku, as well as the organizations and gracious individuals who made this week possible.

Everything is amazing

// August 15th, 2010 // technology

I suppose I’ll contradict myself here. I’m becoming oriented for my doctoral studies tomorrow. Much of my teaching/studying will focus upon the incorporation of digital media in a musical setting (and be theoretically good). I don’t have everything on my shopping list just yet, but there is much at my disposal with this opportunity and I look forward to studies with my mentor. In the midst of a semester, it’s probably best for me not to complain about music notation software or other things that we expect (but really are major conveniences). Technology has come a long way. Our concerti involving mobile devices have become a little more sophisticated (this is true of toothbrushes as well) and there are many great companies creating standard software to do impressive things.

So in this world where we can make t-shirts out of old plastic bottles, try our hand at expressionistic painting, and cassettes are just good for breaking apart to use the tape as a bow for various string instruments, why not be smart about things, stop video chatting while operating a gasoline powered vehicle and drinking from a disposable cup, and take a moment to unplug electrical items that aren’t being used and see how else one can not be wasteful? There is much at our disposal and everything is amazing.

I love/hate technology

// July 27th, 2010 // technology

I recently updated WordPress and while this went better than the previous time, I am still left trying to hack my way into code that has altered my site (e.g. the nifty side bar is gone, leaving visitors wondering what inspired me to have a picture of headphones, a clock, and the Picasa logo sitting useless and forlorn). While I admit that I’m a bit of a perfectionist, it is upsetting that this essential update leaves me with a larger to do list (i.e. fix the problem or come to accept that my online business card has flaws). (P.S. Safari, you’re used 25.3% of my visitors. Are you really not @font-face friendly!?)

I do not intend to scorn WordPress with these words; the problem is likely the fault of me dipping outside my field (again) and I cannot imagine using some other platform for a website at this point in time. Still, as I happily work with my favorite music notation program (and then receive a coupon for the 2011 edition), I, at times, wonder when all of this will stop. Having recently recycled a desktop PC that boasted Finale 3.X, Asteroids, and speeds that make one think a pencil would be the better means of executing a project, it seems obvious that the old adage of technology being out-of-date in around a week or so seems to hold a strong case.

I once tried to perform a work that was scored for, to generalize, saxophone and electronics. The (extremely gracious) composer went out of their way to foster my interest in their work, trying to alleviate our OS 9 vs. OS X issues through email and eventually, in person. I was never able to perform the work. The results were not necessarily the fault of the composer, but merely a product of me not expressing interest in the piece five years prior. Current projects trumped a revision of the older work.

I wonder, as I delve into a world where technology is a larger part of my work, what the future holds for music. Most composers, I would assume, would like their work to be performed in the future, should someone have interest. To tackle interpretation used to primarily be an issue of deciphering notation. There are a few, however, that have gone in [the] two worlds of past and present successfully. As the reel to reel-4/8 track-vinal-cassette-CD-mp3 progression continues, it begs the question how a work for prerecorded electronics (that’s a tape piece to my slightly older colleagues) will be successfully approached in the future. While this may be a relatively easy problem to solve, it raises concern with works that involve gesture-based interactive electronics, for example. I guess I’ll keep waiting for my hover board and embrace change. Perhaps all good things come to those who wait work hard. I’m thankful (most of the time).

Kasprzyk, M.S., MT-BC

// July 1st, 2010 // music therapy, technology

Clearly I’ve kept much of my recent activity secret or the above caption refers to a different Kasprzyk. I recently put together (another) website to help clarify. I’ve become a big fan of music therapy the past few years and I’m quite fond of this particular therapist. Take a look at the site (kasprzykmusictherapy.com) whether you’re interested in the field, know of opportunities in Northwest Ohio, or you’re just a big fan of javascript accordion scripts.

Kasprzyk, ’14

// June 15th, 2010 // composition, personal, technology

As many who follow me know, I recently moved (a little west of Cleveland). I met some great musicians in the area, but Cleveland proved to be the culmination of what has been an interesting (i.e. dog walker, cat walker, corporate monkey, etc.) five years. I did what I could and found myself with many opportunities. It was, however, definitely time for a change as I found myself not putting my best foot forward.

I am incredibly happy to announce that I will begin my doctorate this fall at Bowling Green State University studying music composition and digital media. I absolutely appreciate the offers from others, but found this to be the path right for me. It is an exciting new program, the first candidate having just graduated. The school has many of the resources that I have lacked in recent work, offered a generous financial package, affords me the opportunity to meet new colleagues and, of course, has great faculty members (e.g. Beerman, Kuehn, Lillios, Shrude, et al) with which to work. (I hear there are a few saxophonists there).

There are a few who helped me reach this long-awaited time. To those individuals (who are acquaintances or strangers), thank you!

crkasprzyk.com version 3.0

// June 9th, 2010 // personal, technology

Regular visitors to this site will notice a bit of a face lift today as this looks nothing like the old site. (Hopefully you’re looking at something like this). I was happy with the old look, but desired a site that was more consistent, even in lesser browsers. More importantly, I believe the changes will serve as a nice platform for my (daily and long term) projects. Expect to see details of musical projects as well as captured field recordings/photos.

I recognize that my Internet audience is varied. Perhaps the following will help one peruse the site’s features:

Home

Click on (almost) any photo to take a better look.

Read my microblog (twitter).

Contact me, follow me on twitter, view all of my photos (picasa), or subscribe to my rss feed (i.e. receive the latest news in your favorite reader).

Click a tab to listen to audio samples, see the next event, or choose a photo album.

Share my website via your favorite Internet utility, receive (fairly infrequent) emails, and get a better look at (a few random) photos.

Send a post via your favorite social networking utility.

Read all entries about one specific category or find others within a category.

Look at entries from a specific time period.

Events

Take note of events, past events, or add the event(s) to your google calendar/iCal.

Gallery

Listen to samples in the gallery and get quick information on a work.

Portfolio

Peruse all of my work by instrumentation (or chronologically). If you dig, you’ll find some 20th century music. I’ll add more as I unearth recordings from the archives.

N.B. Special thanks goes to Shane/Fishgill Graphics for some final code tweaking.

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