Commission

The Black Mountain School project creates sound environments.

These sound environments are designed to complement diverse settings by replicating the paradigms of spontaneously occurring aural phenomena, both "natural" and "man-made".  As such, these works are not predicated upon concepts that are traditionally "musical", but rather upon the perceptual qualities of active listening and passive hearing.  Such perspectives are associated with apprehension of tones, patterns, and myriad variations of sonic impressions, some based upon aesthetic constructs of the visual arts.

Peculiar methods and techniques necessary to compose sonic atmospheres of this nature originate solely with the Black Mountain School project and continue to be developed in our studio.  While the listener may detect a host of artistic influences, these are unavoidably displaced in the course of the work by the intent and goals of the compositions and recordings.  In objective terms, the discriminating listener will find no other "experimental" or "mainstream" productions that are analogous to the work of Black Mountain School.

Were it otherwise the case, the project would have no purpose, and no raison d'être.

Vibration, Perception

Like words, sounds possess meanings.

Tones, in particular, convey qualities that impress themselves upon the senses.  These impressions evoke both personal and universal associations, thus cultural and individual responses vary from the predictable to the uniquely inspired.

There is no permanence.  The future establishes itself, whether in accord with mediocre expectations or in terms of sudden, unpredictable visions.

The Existential Reality

Either music must be, or it will not.

No reasons are needed, and no expectations are possible.

Sound as Mirror

As culture is reflected in the arts, so is consciousness.

Regard the contents and emotional conditioning of the mind in the context of social order and disorder.

Now listen-- give attention to the various surroundings in which one finds oneself.

The artist and composer have singular and personal visions that are not always congruent with the public imagination, and for this fact, given the perceptions and attitudes that dominate the ubiquitous media and the commercial marketplace, one might well be grateful.

Shapes of Reality

Imagination conceives representations of the real and the unreal.

Given form in artistic media, these sights and sounds define, and at times determine, frames of reference regarding life and its myriad possibilities in cultural terms of greater-- and lesser-- value to others.

There is nothing interesting about the absurd, the repulsive, and the excessive.  I am interested in bringing into being works of atmosphere and aural imagery that illuminate reality, with all its danger, risk, fear, hope and beauty, according to perspectives that open the mind and spirit through the gates of the inner ear.

Creative Impulse

Nothing is conceived of nothing.

Reality, culture and the evidence of the senses provide the raw materials necessary to engage and come to terms with life's mystery.  Grasped, manipulated, and combined, they emerge out of consciousness in new forms to the extent the mind and imagination allow.  This is the synthesis of idea and vision out of which emerges expression of every type, whether in the arts or the sciences.

All else is simply information, leading to nothing, in and of itself.  And nothing happens without imagination, inventiveness, innovation, and individuality.

Setting and Soul

Arrive at the understanding of balance.

Equilibrium and moderation clear the mind, enhance emotional well-being, and elevate the spirit. This sense of symmetry will be reflected in artistic representations that convey clarity of perception as well as aesthetic principles that lend completeness to the work, whether it be a visual or musical piece.