Mara Margaret Helmuth facts for kids
Margaret Mara Helmuth, born in 1957, is an American composer. She creates music, especially using computers and electronics. She went to the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign and then to Columbia University. There, she earned a special degree called a doctorate in music.
After her studies, Helmuth started teaching at the University of Cincinnati. She also became the director of the university's Center for Computer Music. This center focuses on making music with computers. She has written many articles for music journals. She also helped edit a newsletter for a group called the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States.
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Creating Electronic Music
Margaret Helmuth is famous for her electronic music. This type of music is made using electronic tools and computers. She creates music that is "fixed format." This means the music is set and doesn't change when played.
Interactive Art Installations
Helmuth also designs "interactive installations." These are art pieces that people can interact with. For example, they might use sensors to react to movement or sound. This makes the art change based on what people do.
Notable Musical Pieces
Here are some of the musical works Margaret Helmuth has created:
- Mellipse (1989, 1995)
- Abandoned Lake in Maine (1997)
- Bugs and Ice: A Question of Focus (2002)
- Where Is My Voice, a piece for fixed audio
- Hidden Mountain (2007)
- Staircase of Light (2003)
- Hidden Mountain 2, an interactive art piece using sensors
Music Recordings
Margaret Helmuth's music has been released on CDs. This allows many people to listen to her unique electronic compositions. Some of these recordings include:
- Sound Collaborations, v. 36 from the Consortium to Distribute Computer Music Series
- Implements of Actuation, which she made with percussionist Allen Otte
- Open Space CD 16, featuring music made for tape
