San Francisco Tape Music Center
Encyclopedia
The San Francisco Tape Music Center was founded in 1962 by composers Morton Subotnick
and Ramon Sender
as a "nonprofit cultural and educational corporation, the aim of which was to present concerts and offer a place to learn about work within the tape music
medium" (http://o-art.org/history/50s%26_60s/TapeCenter/SFTMC.html). Other composers involved include Terry Riley
, Pauline Oliveros
, Steve Reich
, and later William Maginnis and Tony Martin
.
The SFTMC had begun as an electronic studio established by the improvisation group Sonics at the San Francisco Conservatory. Sonics was formed in 1961 by Oliveros and other members of one of Robert Erickson
's composition seminars. (Von Gunden 1983, p.33)
In 1967 the group accepted a $15,000 grant to join the Mills Center for Contemporary Music
, with Oliveros as director, though the last of the original composers left the group that year. When Robert Ashley
became the director in 1969 no equipment was left.
Morton Subotnick
Morton Subotnick is an American composer of electronic music, best known for his Silver Apples of the Moon, the first electronic work commissioned by a record company, Nonesuch...
and Ramon Sender
Ramon Sender
Ramon Sender Barayón is a composer, writer and the co-founder, with Morton Subotnick, of the San Francisco Tape Music Center in 1961. He studied with George Copeland, Elliott Carter, and Robert Erickson....
as a "nonprofit cultural and educational corporation, the aim of which was to present concerts and offer a place to learn about work within the tape music
Tape Music
Tape Music is an experimental 10" vinyl release by Jack Dangers. The vinyl release was coupled with the album Sounds Of The 20th Century No2 when released as a flexi disc vinyl....
medium" (http://o-art.org/history/50s%26_60s/TapeCenter/SFTMC.html). Other composers involved include Terry Riley
Terry Riley
Terrence Mitchell Riley, is an American composer intrinsically associated with the minimalist school of Western classical music and was a pioneer of the movement...
, Pauline Oliveros
Pauline Oliveros
Pauline Oliveros is an American accordionist and composer who is a central figure in the development of post-war electronic art music....
, Steve Reich
Steve Reich
Stephen Michael "Steve" Reich is an American composer who together with La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Philip Glass is a pioneering composer of minimal music...
, and later William Maginnis and Tony Martin
Tony Martin (artist)
-Early life and education:Martin was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1937. He attended the University of Michigan and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.-Career:...
.
The SFTMC had begun as an electronic studio established by the improvisation group Sonics at the San Francisco Conservatory. Sonics was formed in 1961 by Oliveros and other members of one of Robert Erickson
Robert Erickson
Robert Erickson was an American composer.He studied with Ernst Krenek from 1936-1947: "I had already studied—and abandoned—the twelve tone system before most other Americans had taken it up." He influenced notable students Morton Subotnick, Pauline Oliveros, Terry Riley, and Paul Dresher...
's composition seminars. (Von Gunden 1983, p.33)
In 1967 the group accepted a $15,000 grant to join the Mills Center for Contemporary Music
Mills College
Mills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...
, with Oliveros as director, though the last of the original composers left the group that year. When Robert Ashley
Robert Ashley
Robert Ashley , is a contemporary American composer, best known for his operas and other theatrical works, many of which incorporate electronics and extended techniques. Along with Gordon Mumma, Ashley was also a major pioneer of audio synthesis.Ashley was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan...
became the director in 1969 no equipment was left.
External links
- History of Experimental Music in Northern California: San Francisco Tape Music Center
- The San Francisco Tape Music Collective
- San Francisco Tape Music Center: Modest and Vital Drive by Alfred Frankenstein, San Francisco Chronicle (Mar 30, 1964)
- EMF Institute: SFTMC
- San Francisco Tape Music Center: Desert Ambulance by Ramon SenderRamon SenderRamon Sender Barayón is a composer, writer and the co-founder, with Morton Subotnick, of the San Francisco Tape Music Center in 1961. He studied with George Copeland, Elliott Carter, and Robert Erickson....
and Tony MartinTony MartinAnthony or Tony Martin may refer to:Education*Tony Martin , professor at Wellesley College known for racial controversies in the early 1990s.*Donald A...
; performed by Pauline OliverosPauline OliverosPauline Oliveros is an American accordionist and composer who is a central figure in the development of post-war electronic art music....
, produced by Randall Packer and Zakros InterArts, October 17 1988, Victoria Theater, San Francisco. Review by Charles Boone.
Sources
- Von Gunden, Heidi (1983). The Music of Pauline Oliveros. ISBN 0-8108-1600-8.
- Bernstein, David (2008): The San Francisco Tape Music Center: 1960s Counterculture and the Avant-Garde ISBN: 9780520256170, ISBN: 9780520248922