Biography:
Dan Tramte is currently working towards his PhD in music composition with a specialization in computer music media at the University of North Texas. He also holds degrees in percussion performance (BM) and Composition (MM) from Bowling Green State University (Ohio). His primary teachers have included Elainie Lillios, Mikel Kuehn, Jon Nelson, Andrew May, and David Bithell. At North Texas, Dan Tramte serves as a graduate assistant for the Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia (CEMI); he also teaches Beginning/Class Composition (MUCP 1180/3080). His music has been programmed on numerous computer music conferences and can be heard on the CDCM computer music series, vol. 38.
With an extensive background in percussion performance and an obsession with the philosophy of time perception, it is no coincidence that Dan Tramte's music has often been characterized as 'rhythmic.' He has intensely experimented with all aspects of time; whether it be formal time in the case of Impulsive Moments: for Five Intelligent Musicians where he uses Karlheinz Stockhausen's 'Moment Form' concept, or whether it be short term time scales as in his work Corse Mode: for Straight Key and Electronics where he learned morse code to use its micro binary rhythms. Dan Tramte attempts to blur the traditional distinctions between aspects of music, such as rhythm and pitch, harmony and timbre, sinusoidal waves and noise - treating them, instead, as all related on a continuum of dynamically fluctuating impulses over time.
As an extramusical source, Dan Tramte often turns to the sciences to stimulate creativity. Here, he finds a particular beauty in the physical world that is unrivaled by any other discipline. In fact, almost every work of his pertains to some field of science. Eight Gluons wouldn't have been realized if it weren't for the enticing, mysterious nature of quantum mechanics. The theoretical physics of string theory played a large role in the creation of 3 Branes. Similarly, Nomos Delta relies on cognitive science, using binaural waves to induce levels of consciousness. The elegance of evolution, vastness/emptiness of space, and the perplexing implications of general/special relativity all provoke a state of rational cogitation that helps to facilitate the act of composition and render the resulting works more meaningful.
With an extensive background in percussion performance and an obsession with the philosophy of time perception, it is no coincidence that Dan Tramte's music has often been characterized as 'rhythmic.' He has intensely experimented with all aspects of time; whether it be formal time in the case of Impulsive Moments: for Five Intelligent Musicians where he uses Karlheinz Stockhausen's 'Moment Form' concept, or whether it be short term time scales as in his work Corse Mode: for Straight Key and Electronics where he learned morse code to use its micro binary rhythms. Dan Tramte attempts to blur the traditional distinctions between aspects of music, such as rhythm and pitch, harmony and timbre, sinusoidal waves and noise - treating them, instead, as all related on a continuum of dynamically fluctuating impulses over time.
As an extramusical source, Dan Tramte often turns to the sciences to stimulate creativity. Here, he finds a particular beauty in the physical world that is unrivaled by any other discipline. In fact, almost every work of his pertains to some field of science. Eight Gluons wouldn't have been realized if it weren't for the enticing, mysterious nature of quantum mechanics. The theoretical physics of string theory played a large role in the creation of 3 Branes. Similarly, Nomos Delta relies on cognitive science, using binaural waves to induce levels of consciousness. The elegance of evolution, vastness/emptiness of space, and the perplexing implications of general/special relativity all provoke a state of rational cogitation that helps to facilitate the act of composition and render the resulting works more meaningful.
