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Thursday 29 November at 6 PM, Studio Xenakis, Music 2215.
AARON ANDREW HUNT: THE EMANCIPATION OF PITCH: A NEW PARADIGM FOR THE FUTURE OF MUSIC
Aaron Hunt will demonstrats his systematic extension of traditional Western music theory with corresponding
instruments and notation supporting the composition of music using expanded pitch resources. He further explains why he
believes such an integrated model of pitch should be adopted as a new working paradigm in Western music education.
RESOURCES: ,
BIO:
In 1996, after receiving his MM in music composition from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati,
Aaron Hunt began theoretical work in the area of microtonality. Over the next decade he dedicated himself to
independent research, developing theories, instrument designs, and notations for alternative tunings. In 2001, he began
building his first prototype microtonal keyboard, which was completed the following year. From 2002 to 2007 he was
instructor of music at Eastern Illinois University, where he taught ear training, music theory, music analysis, electronic
music, counterpoint, and composition. In 2005, he traveled to Bulgaria to further develop his microtonal inventions, working
closely with electronics engineers and manufacturers. Later that year, he was invited as keynote lecturer to the first UK
Microfest, where he outlined his microtonal theory and notation system, and demonstrated his second prototype
microtonal keyboard. A subsequent visit to Bulgaria resulted in many new invention designs and refinements of prototypes
which were then demonstrated at the next UK Microfest. In 2006, Hunt drafted patents and founded H-Pi Instruments to
market his inventions, including the Tuning Box microtonal MIDI keyboard converter, the Tonal Plexus microtonal MIDI
keyboard, and Megascore microtonal notation software. Since resigning from his teaching position, he works at his business
full time, continuing research and development, building instruments, writing software, composing music, and working
with musicians in the spirit of the company motto – for the future of music.