The Department of Physics and Astronomy has announced that Composition and Theory doctoral candidates Jason Belcher and Devon Tipp have been selected as 2018-19 Artists in Residence. Each composer will work with a faculty member from the Department of Physics and Astronomy to shape an interdisciplinary composition to be performed at an afternoon concert on April 12 at Frick Fine Arts Auditorium.

In collaboration with Professor Ayres Freitas, Jason Belcher will create a piece by examining particle diagrams and lectures of physicist Richard Feynman alongside scores by experimental composers active during Feynman's lifetime. According to Belcher, “Feynman's diagrams and eloquent descriptions of physical processes relate to American experimental music traditions in a number of ways. The resulting work will incorporate various notation systems inspired by Feynman's diagrams and lectures.”

Devon Osamu Tipp will collaborate with Associate Professor Carles Badenes to create a new electroacoustic musical composition. The work will be inspired by Badenes' research on aspects of stellar evolution and cosmic recycling patterns. The composition will be performed by shakuhachi player and composer Elizabeth Brown. Brown’s visit will also coincide with the premiere of her composition Cloudrest for shakuhachi and gamelan to be presented by Pitt’s Gamelan Ensemble with Tipp as shakuhachi soloist. The collaboration between Tipp, Brown, and the Department of Physics and Astronomy is co-sponsored by the Asian Studies Center at Pitt with the generous support of a Japan Iron and Steel Foundation Endowment.

Congratulations to Jason Belcher and Devon Tipp on their appointments as Artists in Residence with Department of Physics and Astronomy. Check back at this site for more details about the event as the April performance approaches.