University of York

Graduate Student, Music

Vanbrugh College

Thesis Title: PhD in Composition by Portfolio

About

I am a PhD student studying composition by portfolio under Prof. Roger marsh. My areas of compositional research include vocal extended technique and incorporating the acoustic properties of vocal multiphonics into western composition, use of diatonic tonal structures to inform chromatic harmony, use of found material and referencing in composition and using sonority as a structural device, as well as advanced instrumental techniques and exploiting natural acoustic and theatric properties of mechanical actions.

I am an active composer outside of the academic world and have taken part in a number of schemes including the HCMF and Nieuw Ensemble Professional Development Scheme 2009-10 resulting in a premiere in the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. I am also a Sound And Music (formerly SPNM) shortlisted composer and have had a piece commissioned by Sound and Music and Cheltenham Festivals and premiered in the Cheltenham Festival 2010. I have had numerous pieces performed in the Late Music Festival and Late Music Concert Series, for which I was an organiser. I have also built long standing relationships with performers such as piano virtuoso Ian Pace, Manchester group Trio Atem, singer and composer Nina Whiteman, singers Ensemble Bright Cecilia and music theatre group Black Hair. In 2010, as a means of promotion and research me and PhD colleagues Chris Leedham and Enrico Bertelli started cat•er•waul (http://www.caterwaul.co.uk/), which has so far collaborated with composer Lauren Redhead and director Adam Strickson in the production of their opera "Green Angel" in January 2011, and is working towards commissioning new works.

I am currently working on a collaborative song cycle project with Leeds-based dramatist and poet Adam Strickson, creating an 8-piece cycle for performance in an Opera North sponsored production on the 23rd May 2011. I have also been commissioned by Late Music to write a large scale solo piano work for virtuoso Ian Pace to be performed on the 6th August 2011. This year, me and PhD colleague Graham Bier have been jointly awarded the Jack Lyons Scholarship to create a 30 minute work to be performed in the Jack Lyons Memorial Concert in June 2012. The piece will explore the Tallis settings of metric psalms by the Reverend Archbishop Parker, and will involve at least one original work for 24-voice choir The 24.

For more information please visit my website - http://www.edwardcaine.com/

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