Lecturer in Composition and Critical Musicology

musms@leeds.ac.uk

0113 343 2530

MA (Hons), Scottish Literature and Music, Glasgow; MusM (Composition), Manchester; PhD (Composition), Manchester

Born in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Spencer studied composition with Graham Hair at Glasgow University where he received an MA in Music and Scottish Literature. Between 1997 and 2002, he completed a MusM and PhD in Composition with Geoff Poole at Manchester University. Since 1998 he has worked privately with James Dillon, on whose work he has published two articles. His music has been performed nationally, internationally and on BBC Radio 3.

• Composition (including improvisation, contemporary notation issues)
• The music of Ferneyhough, Dillon, Feldman, Lachenmann, Maxwell Davies
• Aesthetics, Philosophy of New Music
• Semiotic Analysis
• Micro-tonal tuning systems

Current Modules

• MUSI1220 Language and Theory of Music (oversees the teaching of composition element)
• MUSI1020 Music in History and Culture
• MUSI2220 Level 2 Composition
• MUSI3240/3220 Level 3 Minor/Major Composition
• MUSI3521 Level 3 Aesthetics and Criticism
• MUSI3120/40 Minor/Major Dissertation
• MUSI2311/3320 Projects in Performance (organises and conducts LSTwo, the School of Music New Music Ensemble including conducting Varèse, Stockhausen, Górecki and performing in Lachenmann)
• MUSI5231M Composition Studies (M-level)
• MUSI5262M Portfolio of Compositions (M-level)
• MUSI5132M Dissertation (M-level)
• MUSI5040M Introduction to Musical Scholarship (M-level)

Module Coordinator for

• MUSI2220 Level 2 Composition
• MUSC2211 Level 2 Orchestration
• MUSI3240/3220 Level 3 Minor/Major Composition
• MUSI3521 Level 3 Aesthetics and Criticism
• MUSI5231M Composition Studies (MMus level)
• MUSI5262M Portfolio of Compositions (MMus level)

Other Teaching

• MUSI1220 Language and Theory of Music
• MUSI1120 Music Study Skills
• MUSC2211 Level 2 Orchestration
• MUSI3721 Texts and Contexts (on the music of Morton Feldman)

• Programme Manager for MMus Composition
• Deputy Research Postgraduate Students Tutor

Contributions to books and conference proceedings

• 'Dillon's L'évolution du vol: an Evolution of Stylistics or a Flight from National Identity?', Musica Scotica, Musica Scotica Trust Publications (December 2008)
• Laycock, Kevin, ‘Kevin Laycock and Mic Spencer in Conversation’ in Uncertain Harmonies, Art First Contemporary Art (December 2007)

Periodical articles

• 'Re-placing the Dialectic: Notions of Compositional Procedure in James Dillon's German Tryptych' in British Postgraduate Musicology, Vol. 5 (2002), available online at: http://www.bpmonline.org.uk/bpm5-replacing.html

Compositions (in progress)

• Intervolve – a project in three parts focussing on the double bass, improvisation and framed by the thinking of Michel Foucault. The three parts are:
  • Intervolve (Accordion and Double Bass)
  • Heterotopia (Improvising Double Bass, 3 Improvisers and 3 non-improvisers)
  • The Order of Things (Bass Flute, Harp, Double Bass)
• A work for 20 pianos
• A work for clarinet and piano for Adam Starkie and Marine Jacquinot

Compositions

• Ungrund II (After Boehme) (Solo Clarinet and Kick-drum, 1 player) 2009
• …quell velen che dolcemate ancide… (Soprano, Flute, Violoncello) 2009
• Si vous êtes pris dans le rêve de l’autre, vous êtez foutu (7 Percussionists) 2008
• Message from Aiwass VII (19-Division Tone Trumpet, Percussion, Live Electronics) 2007-08
• Ophelia Fragments (Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, Violin) 2007-08
• Délire(String Quartet) 2006
• If this be my fate (Trombone, Percussion) 2006
• The Lynx Arc (Improvising saxophone soloist and ensemble) 2003-06
• Strike softly, away from body (Soprano Saxophone, Electric Guitar, Hammond Organ, Electric Violin, Double Bass, Live Electronics) - Commissioned by [rout] and BMIC Cutting Edge
• I built my dreams around you (Solo Bass Flute) 2004
• Message from Aiwass II (Violoncello, Piano, Percussion) 2003
• same ground, once more stirring under our feet – Homage to Foucault (Flute, Violin, Percussion, Accordion, live electronics, 2 LP Players, Video Projection) 2003
• You Took My Dreams From Me, When I First Found You (Solo Violin) 2002
• Sotto Voce (Solo Organ) 2002
• Une nuit noire, par un calme (24 Voices) 2002
• Message From Aiwass (frammenti neri) (Two Pianos) 2002
• é quella sì lontana (Chamber ensemble – 20 players) 2001 [rev. 2002]
• la mer allée avec le soleil (Violin, Piano, Percussion) 2001
• The Eemis Stane – Homage to Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji (Solo Piano) 2001
• The Song Mickey Heard at the Bottom of his Pint in the Zodiac Bar (Wind Orchestra) 2001
• Toxic Knuckle Bones (Chamber Ensemble) 2000
• Pendule (… de Foucalt) (Horn, Violin, Piano) 2000
• … las Redes de Piedra (Alto Saxophone and Orchestra) 1999 - Commissioned by The Kelvin Ensemble
• DO NOT MACHINE (Percussion Duo) 1999
• In te si posa nostra ignuda natura (Oboe solo) 1998-99
• Über Die Grenzen Des All … (Piccolo/Alto Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tuba, Piano/Harpsichord, Violin, Viola) 1998

Recordings

• The Eemis Stane – Homage to Kaijhosru Shapurji Sorabji on Aleksander Szram, Into the 21st Century, fonoforum 8003 (2006)

Radio / TV broadcasts

• Toxic Knuckle Bones, BBC Philharmonic, conductor James MacMillan, New Broadcasting House, Manchester (February 2001) [Revised version] on Hear and Now, BBC Radio 3, (February 2001)

Public Performances

Ungrund II (After Boehme)

First Perfomance: Adam Starkie, Strasbourg Conservatoire (June 2009)

…quell velen che dolcemate ancide…

First Performance: Trio Atem, University of Leeds (April 2009)

Si vous êtes pris dans le rêve de l’autre, vous êtez foutu

First Performance: Concussion, University of Leeds (June 2008)

Ophelia Fragments

First Performance: FOCAM, Leftbank Leeds (June 2008)

Message from Aiwass VII

First Performance: duo Contour, University of Leeds (April 2008)

Délire

First performance: FOCAM, Holy Trinity Church, Leeds (November 2006)

If this be my fate

First performance: FOCAM, University of Leeds (October 2006)

Message from Aiwass V

First performance: Freelance Brass, International Trumpet Guild Conference, Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey, USA (June 2006)

The Lynx Arc

First performance: Christophe de Bezenac with LSTwo, University of Leeds (April 2006)

Strike softly, away from body

First performance: [rout], The Warehouse, London (December 2005)

Other performances: [rout] BMIC Cutting Edge tour, including performances in the University of Leeds, Dartington, Glasgow CCA and at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (October—November 2006)

Diptyque

First Performance: Leeds University Liturgical Choir, University of Leeds (May 2005)

Other performances: Leeds University Liturgical Choir, International Choral Festival Universitas Cantat, Poznan, Poland (June 2005)

Leeds University Liturgical Choir, University of Leeds, (April 2007)

Leeds University Liturgical Choir, St Matthew’s Church, Chapel Allerton (June 2007)

I built my dreams around you

First performance: Richie Craig, Bar Coda, University of Leeds (May 2004)

Other performances: Richie Craig, Darmstädter Internationale Ferienkurse für Neue Musik (August 2004)

Richie Craig, University of Leeds (April 2005)

Message from Aiwass II

First performance: Apartment House, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (November 2003)

same ground, once more stirring under our feet – Homage to Foucault

First performance: Owain Sutton, Richie Craig, Andy Bayly, Dominic Halliday and students of the University of Leeds, MAXIS International Festival, ICSRiM/University of Leeds (April 2003)

You Took My Dreams From Me, When I First Found You

First performance: Owain Sutton, University of Glasgow (April 2003)

Message from Aiwass (frammenti neri)

First performance: Steve Arkell and Michael Spencer, University of Glasgow (March 2002)

é quella, sì lontana

First performance: Students of University of Manchester, University of Manchester (June 2002)

Other Performances: LS2, cond. Mike Young, University of Leeds (November 2002)

la mer allée avec le soleil

First performance: Owain Sutton, Suzy Wapshott, Dom Halliday, University of Manchester (June 2002)

Other performance: Ensemble SurPlus, Akademie Schloss Solitude, Stuttgart, Germany (August 2003)

Ensemble SurPlus, E-Werk, Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany (March 2004)

Ensemble SurPlus, Staatsoper Theater, Stuttgart, Germany (July 2004)

The Eemis Stane – Homage to Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji

First performance: Peter Mumford, University of Manchester (April 2001)

Other performances: Suzy Wapshott, University of Manchester (June 2002)

Peter Mumford, St. Cyprian’s Church, London (June 2003)

Richard Casey, University of Leeds (April 2006)

Aleksander Szram, Bush Hall, Shepherd’s Bush, London (September 2006)

Aleksander Szram, Vancouver, Canada (December 2006)

Ian Pace, University of Leeds (April 2007)

Toxic Knuckle Bones

First performance: University of Manchester New Music Ensemble, University of Manchester (November 2000)

Other performances: BBC Philharmonic, conductor James MacMillan, New Broadcasting House, Manchester (February 2001) [Revised version]

LSTwo, University of Leeds (April 2005)

…las Redes de Piedra

First performance: Brian Molley (alto saxophone), The Kelvin Ensemble, conductor Garry Walker, Glasgow University Chapel (December 1999)

DO NOT MACHINE

First performance: Percussion Duo London, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (November 1999)

In te, si posa nostra ignuda natura

First performance: Shona Brown, Instal at The Arches, Glasgow (October 2002)

Other performances: Shona Brown, University of Glasgow (April 2003)

Über Die Grenzen des All…

First performance: Manchester University New Music Ensemble, RNCM, Manchester [part of the Hans Werner Henze Festival] (November 1998)

Keynote & invited lectures

• Invited speaker on roundtable discussion chaired by Michael Berkeley on interdisciplinary collaboration as part of FUSE Festival, Howard Assembly Rooms, Leeds (2009)
• Invited Chair, Sixth Biennial International Conference on Music Since 1900, Keele University (2009)
• Invited Roundtable participant, SOMP, University of Huddersfield (June 2007)
• 'On His Own Music', University of Bristol (Nov 2007)
• Invited Roundtable participant, Research Council Music Archival Research Skills Training Programme, University of Huddersfield, UK, 21 October 2006
• Invited Roundtable participant, SDDU Workshop on 'How to assess creativity', University of Leeds (2006)
• Invited Chair, Fourth Biennial International Conference on Music Since 1900, University of Sussex (2005)
• ‘On His Own Music’, Queen’s University, Belfast (2005)

Conference papers (oral)

• 'Dillon’s L’évolution du vol: an Evolution of Stylistics or a Flight from National identity?', Musica Scotica Conference, Glasgow and International One-day New Music Symposium, University College Cork, Republic of Ireland (2006)
• Chair, ‘Diaspora in Music’ RMA Student Conference, University of Leeds (2006)
• 'Re-placing the Dialectic: Notions of Compositional Procedure in James Dillon's German Tryptych', RMA Student Conference, Royal College of Music, London (2001)

• Researcher for Yorkshire Quarry Arts ‘Stones Project’ in collaboration with University of Leeds [Grant received of £4000] (2005)

• External Examiner for the MA in Composition programme, University College Cork, Ireland
• PVAC Representative on and Chair of SDDU Learning and Teaching Committee
• Organised composition workshop with Icebreaker ensemble, Assemble Rooms, Leeds as part of the FUSE Festival (2009)
• Organiser, Lichtung: A one-day conference on the music of Emmanuel Nunes, University of Leeds (Dec 2007)
• Co-organiser (and composition workshop leader) of RMA Student Conference, University of Leeds (2006)
• Organised workshop with London Sinfonietta at University of Leeds as part of the FUSE Festival (2006)
• Organised and led workshop with Fine Arts Brass, University of Leeds (2004)

• External reviewer for AHRC Research Leave (several extraordinary appointments, 2006 – Present)
• Member of:
  • The Scottish Music Centre;
  • The Society for Mathematics and Computation in Music
  • Sound and Music
  • Royal Musical Association

Current Research Students

• Vicky Burrett [PhD Composition] (2006 – Present)
• Roddy Hawkins [PhD Musicology – AHRC funded] (2006 – Present)
• Adam Ferguson [PhD Composition – AHRC funded] (2007 – Present)
• Caroline Lucas [PhD Composition – Stanley Burton Trust funded] (2008 – Present)
• Marcello Messina [PhD Composition] (2009 – Present)
• Michael Walters [PhD Composition] (2007 – Present)
• Co-Supervisor for:
  • Kevin Laycock [PhD Fine Art] (2006 – Present)
  • Lauren Redhead [PhD Composition – AHRC funded] (2008 – Present)

Past Research Students

• Supervisor
  • Eleri Pound [PhD Composition] (2004 – 2008)
  • Ian Sapiro [MPhil Composition] (2001 – 2004)
• Co-Supervisor for
  • Christophe de Bezenac [PhD Performance] (2003 – 2007)
  • Ian Gallimore [PhD Musicology] (2004 – 2009)

Abstract

Nine original compositions as follows:

• 1. Uber die Grenzen des All… (6’ 00’’) For: Piccolo/Alto Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tuba, Piano/Harpsichord, Violin, Viola
• 2. In te, si posa Nostra ignuda natura (5’ 50’’) For: Solo Oboe
• 3. DO NOT MACHINE (c.10’ 00’’) For: Percussion Duo
• 4. …las Redes de Piedra (c.15’ 00’’) For: Solo Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
• 5. Pendule (… de Foucault) (c.9’ 00’’) For: Horn Trio
• 6. Toxic Knuckle Bones (15’ 00’’) For: Chamber Ensemble (16 Players)
• 7. The Eemis Stane – Homage to Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji (c.10’ 00’’) For: Solo Piano
• 8. la mer allee avec le soleil (c.7’ 00’’) For: Violin, Percussion, Piano
• 9. e quella, si lontana (c.10’ 00’’) For: Chamber Ensemble (20 Players)

In conjunction with the above portfolio, the submission includes a commentary on the portfolio (c.10, 000 words) which offers a general aesthetic overview, an exposition of the composer’s concern with temporal issues, and traces the development of these and other technical matters throughout the nine works (for example, use of pitch sieves, harmonic spectra, pulse-patterning). Two CD’s of the works (all except In te, si Posa Nostra Ignuda Natura) are also included. Please note: all scores are in C.

• Composition Day for Bradford Music Services – organising and overseeing the day, co-ordinating postgraduate students to demonstrate instrumental and compositional techniques to GCSE students

• Guest Conductor, The Kelvin Ensemble (performing Schumann, Arkell and Yeats) (December 2000)

• Member of Group for Research in Improvised Music
• Composer-in-Residence, National Youth Brass Band (August 2003)
• Masterclass Leader, Junior Trinity College of Music (June 2003)
• Associate Composer, spnm Sound Inventors, Teeside (April 2003)
• Co-curator, organiser and performer, experimental and contemporary music at The Arches, Glasgow (March 1999—Dec 2002)

• www.scottishmusiccentre.com/michael_spencer
• leeds.academia.edu/MicSpencer