Biographies

Pauline Oliveros is acclaimed internationally as a composer, performer and humanitarian. An important pioneer in American Music, she has explored sound for five decades, forging new ground for herself and others. Through improvisation, electronic music, ritual, teaching and meditation she has created a body of work with such breadth of vision that it profoundly affects those who experience it and eludes many who try to write about it. Oliveros has been honored with awards, grants and concerts internationally. Whether performing at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., in an underground cavern, or in the studios of West German Radio, Oliveros' commitment to interaction with the moment is unchanged. Through Deep Listening Pieces and earlier Sonic Meditations, Oliveros introduced the concept of incorporating all environmental sounds into musical performance through listening. She has written numerous musical compositions for soloists and ensembles in music, dance, theater and inter-arts companies. She now serves as Distinguished Research Professor of Music at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darius Milhaud Composer in Residence at Mills College and mentor in the Bard College summer MFA program. Oliveros has been vocal about representing the needs of individual artists of all ages, about the need for diversity and experimentation in the arts, and promoting cooperation and good will among people.

IONE, poet, playwright and director, is the author of "Pride of Family; Four Generations of American Women of Color", a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. She is the playwright and director of "Njinga the Queen King" an international dance/theater production with original music and sound design by Pauline Oliveros which builds community wherever it is performed.

Vonn New plays original new music featuring percussion, flutes, electronics, bent grooves and found sounds. She has worked with Pauline Oliveros in several projects and is a certified practioner of Deep Listening techniques.

Program Date

06/25/05 8:00 pm

Admission

$10

Program Overview

Legendary electro-acoustic artist Pauline Oliveros performs in concert. Pauline Oliveros' life as a composer, performer and humanitarian is about opening her own and others' sensibilities to the many facets of sound. Since the 1960's she has influenced American Music profoundly through her work with improvisation, meditation, electronic music, myth and ritual. Many credit her with being the founder of present day meditative music. All of Oliveros' work emphasizes musicianship, attention strategies, and improvisational skills.

"Through Pauline Oliveros and Deep Listening I finally know what harmony is....It's about the pleasure of making music." - John Cage 1989

Part of the EMIT Concert Series.