A group for electroacoustic music creation in a collaborative environment, BEEP embraces a variety of aesthetics and styles, from EDM to the avant-garde. It functions in varied modalities: from a laptop orchestra, to fusion of computers and traditional instruments, to an electronic music band. BEEP uses the laptop orchestra model, an ensemble of computer-based meta-instruments, as but one of many possible modes of music making using computers and other electronics.
BEEP's main goal as an ensemble is to explore new musical paths and new technologies by uniting people of varying and complementary skill sets in the discovery of new possibilities of creating sound. BEEP also aims to promote expressive music making and musical vocabulary, increase technological literacy among its participants and audience, to encourage a culture of code literacy and computer competency hand-in-hand with critical and independent thinking, and to perform the ever-expanding repertory of electronic music. BEEP is led by Dr. Adam Vidiksis.
For over 15 years, Cybersounds has brought the latest in electronic music and the digital arts to Philadelphia audiences. The Cybersounds concert series showcases electroacoustic works ranging from the historical to the most exciting recent innovations in the field of music technology. Each semester, leading artists from around the world present their work alongside Temple students and faculty to demonstrate the latest advances in electroacoustic music. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Maurice Wright, the Cybersounds concert series is co-curated by Dr. Wright and Dr. Adam Vidiksis, with contributions from the entire music technology faculty. Students are encouraged to share their music at this event. Cybersounds frequently features performances by Temple’s music technology ensemble, the Boyer College Electroacoustic Ensemble Project (BEEP).
The Temple University Early Music Ensemble performs vocal and instrumental repertoire from the Medieval through Baroque periods, using copies of early instruments. Students develop their understanding of and approach to the evolving musical canon through the exploration and application of historical performance practices. Temple's early instrumentarium includes recorders, viols, sackbuts, vielle, hurdy-gurdy, lutes, Baroque strings, percussion, keyboards, and more. The Early Music Ensemble is conducted by Dr. Heather Miller-Lardin.
Each semester, students have a rotating selection of ensembles that allow them to experience music from other cultures and genres, like Latin American Music Ensemble, Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, Klezmer Ensemble and more.
The New Music Ensemble is a student ensemble devoted to the premiere of compositions by students and faculty, along with important works of new music by established composers and occasional guest composers. The specific instrumentation of the ensemble is announced in the preceding semester so works can be composed specifically for that instrumentation or any subgroup thereof. The ensemble presents premieres by faculty, students, and three established American composers. The group is directed by Dr. Jan Krzywicki.
There are several Temple student organizations that offer students the opportunity to have their original works performed and/or perform new music by fellow students.
conTemplum's mission is to create a community of musicians dedicated to expanding their musical horizons through the discussion and performance of contemporary musical ideas and the promotion of new works by Temple composers. The organization hosts new music forums, seminars, concerts and readings throughout the year.
Temple Composers Orchestra is a chamber orchestra that serves the purpose of providing students with the opportunity to compose large scale works. Performances are given each spring.
The Temple Film Orchestra is a collaboration between students from the Boyer College of Music and Dance and the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. It brings musicians, composers, audio engineers and filmmakers together to create music for student film projects. Musicians perform works for recording sessions and give live performances during film screenings.
The The Music Society at Temple (themus) is a student-run organization intended to provide music students with an open forum for the exposure and development of scholarly work within the disciplines of music theory and musicology. Each spring, THEMUS organizes a regional graduate student conference for theory and musicology.
