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COMPOSER. Electronics performer. MULTIMEDIA ARTIST.
DIRECTOR OF SPLICE INSTITUTE. EDUCATOR. PROGRAMMER. 

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Christopher Biggs is a composer, electronic music performer, and multimedia artist residing in Kalamazoo, MI, where he is Associate Professor of Music Composition and Technology at Western Michigan University. Biggs’ recent projects focus on developing and performing a live electronic music system for both in-person and networked performances. Biggs is the Director of SPLICE Institute.

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About

Christopher Biggs is a composer, electronics performer, and multimedia artist whose “original and unique musical language” blends dense, contrapuntal textures with direct, visceral expression. His music presents a “masterful combination between acoustic instruments and electronics” (Avant Scena), and has been described as “heartbreakingly beautiful” (Classical Music Review), and a “sonic foodfight” (Jazz Weekly). His recent projects focus on integrating live instrumental performance with interactive audiovisual media.

 
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Biggs’ music has been presented across the United States and Europe, as well as in Latin America and Asia. His music is regularly performed on conferences and festivals, including the International Computer Music Conference, SEAMUS Conference, Visiones Sonoras, Electronic Music Midwest, Electroacoustic Barn Dance, Root Signals, New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, Toronto International Electroacoustic Music Symposium, Bowling Green New Music Festival, and Society for Composers, Inc. Biggs has been a featured guest composer at the Wired Festival (Wisconsin), Ramificaciones: Festival de música y multimedia (Mexico), Beams Festival (Boston), the Performing Media Festival~ (Indiana), and the Truman State New Music Festival (Missouri).

His music is available on Ravello Records, SEAMUS CD Series, PARMA Recordings, Electroacoustico Records, Thinking outLOUD Records, and Irritable Hedgehog. Biggs has written music for various ensembles and soloists, including Ensemble Dal Niente, the Western Brass Quintet, the Prism Saxophone Quartet, SPLICE Ensemble, Keith Kirchoff, Pangea Piano Project, Kari Johnson, Samuel Wells, Western Michigan University Symphonic Band, and the Truman State University Wind Ensemble.

Biggs is a co-founder and the director of SPLICE Institute, which is a weeklong intensive summer program for performers and composers to experience, explore, create, discuss, and learn techniques related to music for instruments and electronics. SPLICE takes place each June in Kalamazoo, MI.

Biggs received the 2008 Missouri Music Teacher’s Association composer of the year award, the 2009 SEMAUS/ASCAP first place award, the 2011 MACRO International Composition Award, the 2012 Issa Music and Dance Faculty Award, a 2013 and 2016 Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative Grant, and various grants and awards from Western Michigan University. He was a Preparing Future Faculty Fellow at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 2007 to 2010. Biggs has given guest lectures at numerous universities, including Indiana University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri, and Columbia College. He was a co-founder and board member of the Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance.

Biggs teaches acoustic and electronic music composition, electronic music production, electronic music performance, digital signal processing, visual programming, and electronic music aesthetics. He received degrees from American University (B.A. in print journalism), The University of Arizona (M.M. in music composition), and the University of Missouri-Kansas City (D.M.A. in music composition). He studied music composition with James Mobberley, Paul Rudy, Joao Pedro Oliveira, Daniel Asia, Chen Yi, and Zhou Long.

 
 
 
 

Electronics performance

 
 

Nodes

Nodes (Andrew Rathbun – saxophone and electronics, John Hébert – bass and electronics, Keith Hall – drums, and Christopher Biggs – electronics and live processing) links four musicians in structured forms and free improvisation. The timbre and textural possibility of the acoustic trio are extended by effects, synthesis, and samples captured and manipulated in the moment. Biggs performs a variety of custom computer modules with tactile performance interfaces that respond to data extracted from the other musicians. Nodes acclimated to each other and the vast range of possibilities during outdoor and basement pandemic rehearsals and then documented their work in the studio. They continue to explore the sonic possibilities in this format via open improvisation and compositions which capitalize on both the improvisational acumen of the musicians and new ideas stemming from the electronics.

 

ESC

ESC is a networked, electroacoustic trio comprised of Elainie Lillios, Scott Deal, and Christopher Biggs. The group creates web-based sound art through networked means, using interactive technologies combined with acoustic percussion and creative media. Acclaimed as one of the “contemporary masters of the medium” by MIT Press’s Computer Music Journal, electroacoustic composer Elainie Lillios creates works that reflect her fascination with listening, sound, space, time, immersion, and anecdote. Scott Deal has performed throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. Deal’s recordings have been described as “soaring, shimmering explorations of resplendent mood and incredible scale”….”sublimely performed”. Christopher Biggs is a composer and multimedia artist whose “original and unique musical language” blends dense, contrapuntal textures with direct, visceral expression. His music presents a “masterful combination between acoustic instruments and electronics” (Avant Scena).

 

Additional projects

I have been meeting regularly with individuals to do online improvisation and structured works.

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Events: 2024-25

(July to June)

Artifacts of Leisure
Henning Schroeder and Yu-Lien Thé
Dalton Recital Hall
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
SPLICE Festival
2025-01-24

Artifacts of Leisure
Henning Schroeder and Yu-Lien Thé
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Cincinnati, OH
North American Saxophone Alliance
2025-02-23

S**p Crackle *O*
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT
2025-02-23

Trajectory Dissociation
Clickfest
Glidden Recital Hall
Ohio University
Athens, OH
2024-09-21

New Years
UNPOP REDUX - exhibition at the Sound Studies Institute Gallery
University of Alberta
2024-10-12 to 2024-11-07

ESC with the Sensorium Chamber Ensemble
Elainie Lillios, Scott Deal, and Christopher Biggs 45-minute set of original works
Entropy Studios
Detroit, MI
2024-11-15

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