Christopher Melen

I am a composer and musician (specializing primarily in electronic instruments), and offer my services as a composition tutor and also general music theory tutor. I have a 1st class Batchelor of Music degree from Cardiff University, and a PhD in Composition from the same institution. I use electronics and computer-aided composition techniques widely in my music, and as such I also have extensive programming skills, with expertise in a number of programming languages (C, C++, Java, Scheme, Common Lisp, Prolog, Oz, etc.) and intimate knowledge of major DSP environments such as Csound, SuperCollider, Max/MSP and Common Lisp Music. In this latter capacity I am available as an assistant to any composers who might require advice or aid in designing electronic components of compositions, and also as a performer if required (laptop, synth, etc.).

I have recently had an article on one of my pieces ('Six Metal Fugue', for four brass, tubular bells and steel drums) published by the renowned French electronic music research institute IRCAM (see 'Six Metal Fugue' in 'The OpenMusic Composer's Book', Vol.2, pub. Editions Delatour).

I am the designer of YLEM, a computer-aided composition system, and CLAVIS (Common Lisp Audio Visualization and Synthesis), a graphical DSP environment. Both are programmed in Common Lisp.

Please see below for further details on my education and teaching experience.