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Mike McFerron
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Interview: 10 questions
1. When did you start making music, what is/was your motivation to do it?
I began writing little choral responses at around age 12 for my small hometown church choir. I was always lucky that I had the support of my family and community
2. Tell me something about your living environment and the musical education.
Currently, I live in the Chicagoland area with my wife Anne and son Henry. I completed my formal education at the Conservatory of Music-University of Missouri at Kansas City. My primary teachers were James Mobberley, Chen Yi, Robert Cooper (deceased), Gerald Kemner, and Ray E. Luke.
3. Is making music your profession? What is the context in which you practice music nowadays?
Music is my profession. I am currently the composer-in-residence, associate professor of music, director of music technology at Lewis University (http://www.lewisu.edu/music)
4. How do you compose or create music or sound? Have you certain principles, use certain styles etc?
I am most interested in “how†music is created. Composing for me is always an exploration of a creative process(es).
5. Tell me something about the instruments, technical equipment or tools you use?
I use macintosh computers, and much of my electroacoustic music relies heavily on Csound.
6. What are the chances of New Media for the music production in general and you personally?
I don’t understand this question
7. How about producing and financing your musical productions?
I teach at a university – it’s my primary source of income.
8. Do you work individually as a musician/soundartist or in a group or collaborative? If you have experience in both, what is the difference, what do you prefer?
I enjoy collaborative work (eg., improvisation projects or working with performers), but for the most part, I compose alone.
9. Is there any group, composer, style or movement which has a lasting influence on making music?
Renaissance polyphony (Spanish school mostly), late romantics, all of the 20th century concert music, experimental jazz, certain pop music (radiohead eg.,)
10. What are your future plans or dreams as a soundartist or musician?
To become a musician and educated person.
Much of my music can be listened to at http://www.bigcomposer.com
http://www.bigcomposer.com
http://www.redearthpublishing.com
http://societyofcomposers.org
http://www.chicagocomposers.org
http://www.mcferrons.com
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