Jose Veliz, a student composer in the Frost School of Music’s Media Writing and Production program, has developed a new interactive concert experience for his senior recital. Veliz’ composition will be modified in real-time, as audience members use their smartphones to vote and collectively alter his piece. During the recital, audience members will have the opportunity to decide which instruments should play, the tempo and dynamics of the piece, and much more.
Veliz began working on this project after taking a class in video game scoring. He explains how he was “fascinated by the way music interacts and changes according on the way in which the game is played,” he wanted to pass on the controller to the audience in Maurice Gusman Concert Hall. The purpose of this project is to give audience members the opportunity to be a part of the music while it’s taking place and to create a unique experience that can never be recreated with the same collective imagination. Veliz hopes that this interactive medium will attract new audiences to explore concert hall events and seek new experiences.
His interactive pieces will be performed alongside original film scores written for his final recital “Take Control” at the Frost School of Music. The event will take place on Saturday, April 6th at 8:30 PM in Maurice Gusman Hall at the University of Miami. Unlike most performances, this one encourages you to bring your phones fully charged and ready to vote!
About Jose Veliz: Born in Guatemala, his music studies began at the early age of seven, studying piano. His moves to Brazil, then Mexico, and then the U.S., provided him with the opportunity to learn from diverse and rich musical cultures. After moving to the U.S. at the age of twelve, he began writing music, studying with Guggenheim Fellow, Donald
