Pierre Michaud: Towards a heuristic approach to mixed electroacoustic music: developing new pedagogical strategies favouring re-performance and preservation

ABSTRACT

Pierre Michaud will present his view on the future of mixed electroacoustic music, in the light of his past works and pedagogical activity. From Computer assisted composition to real-time interaction, most composers interested in the field of mixed electroacoustic music are now fairly proficient in the fields of graphical programming. But to what extent is this new “solfège” adapted to the reality of performance? Should the curriculum offered to performers take this reality into account or should we build new software that could integrate a form of standardisation? Is the notation of the electronics found in mixed electroacoustic works helpful to performers? Presently teaching a new seminar in mixed electroacoustic music offered to both composers and performers at the music faculty of Université de Montréal, Pierre Michaud will share his observations and propose new possible collaborations with CIRMMT. 

 
Pierre Michaud

ABOUT PIERRE MICHAUD

Born in 1974 in New-Brunswick, Pierre Michaud is assistant-professor of composition at the Université de Montréal Music Faculty since 2012. He holds a doctorate in composition from the Université de Montréal Music Faculty with complimentary studies at the Jan Levoslav Bella Conservatory in Slovakia, Université de Moncton, Mount Allison University and IRCAM in Paris. 

Back in Canada in 2000, after a six year stay in Slovakia, Pierre Michaud started experimenting with new technologies and their concrete application in the creative process. 

Heard in concert series and festivals across Canada, Central America, Asia and Europe, his works have been performed by the Bozzini Quartet, SMCQ, Susan Narucki, the Shanghai Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, the CBC Radio Orchestra and the Bratislava Chamber Soloists, amongst others. His music has been aired nationally on Slovak State Radio, CBC Radio Two and Espace musique.

Pierre Michaud teaches instrumental and mixed electroacoustic composition, computer assisted composition and a new mixed electroacoustic seminar for composers and performers. 

Works in progress:

  • Le rêve de Grégoire - new opera for Chants libres in Montreal in collaboration with SMCQ, Quasar, Sixtrum and the Bozzini Quartet to be presented at the Monument National in May 2014. 
  • Abacule II for solo clarinet with electronics and spatialisation - for André Moisan and Jean-Guy Boisvert.
  • Music for dance (title to be confirmed) – Live performance with dancer Peter Jasko; for clarinet, percussion, voice and live electronics – to be performed in Malmö, Sweden as a work in progress in January 2014.