Michael Alcorn

Full biography Michael Alcorn

Michael Alcorn is an Irish composer, viola player, and artistic director. He was born on August 2, 1969, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Alcorn completed his undergraduate studies in music at the University of Ulster, where he was awarded the Theodore Holland Composition Prize. He went on to study composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where his teachers included Simon Bainbridge and Paul Patterson.

Alcorn's music is known for its combination of instrumental writing with computer technology and acousmatic soundscapes. His compositions have been performed internationally, with notable performances by ensembles such as the London Sinfonietta, the Ulster Orchestra, and the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. Alcorn has also collaborated with a wide range of artists, from choreographers and dancers to video artists and poets.

In addition to his work as a composer, Michael Alcorn is also an experienced educator and academic. He has taught at a number of institutions, including the University of Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast, and the Sonic Arts Research Centre. His research interests include the use of technology in music composition and performance, the aesthetics of contemporary music, and the relationship between music and the other arts.

Overall, Michael Alcorn is a highly respected composer and musician, and his work is considered to be both technically innovative and emotionally engaging. His music reflects a unique blend of traditional and contemporary influences, and he continues to be an important figure in the field of contemporary classical music.