NOW
Pushing boundaries in musical expression By Kate Menzies Step off the beaten musical path and you’ll find Michael Wittgraf producing a musical composition without a single instrument, just Wii remotes and a laptop. This is electronic music, and it’s what sets Wittgraf apart from the other music professors at the University of North Dakota. Considered an innovator in the field, Wittgraf loves to experiment with different music software and equipment to provide audiences with a truly unique experience. No wonder he was chosen as the first music professor at UND to be named a Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor, the school’s highest faculty honor. He also serves as chair of the Department of Music. Using both fixed media and live electronics, Wittgraf loves to interact with an audience and leave them speechless.
This past spring, while performing on tour in Japan and China with the Red River Trio (comprising a cellist, pianist and violinist), Wittgraf was able to give his Asian audiences a taste of his eccentric musical muse. Wittgraf ’s music has made its way to other parts of the globe as well, including presentations in Europe and Australia. Apart from electronic music, Wittgraf plays bassoon, piano, organ and electric bass. His compositions span multiple genres, including solo, chamber, orchestral, band, choral, and, of course, electronic. Wittgraf earned his master’s in music theory and composition from the University of Minnesota and his doctorate in music composition from Northwestern University. Perhaps a bit surprising is the bachelor’s degree in mathematics that he earned from Carleton College. But Wittgraf observes that having a firm grasp of arithmetic actually helps him in the digital world of electronic music. “I had an aptitude for math, but a passion for music,” said Wittgraf. About four years ago, Wittgraf decided to compose electronic music almost exclusively. But he’s not one to push the genre onto others, especially students. For Wittgraf, one of the most rewarding experiences is when he can sit back and watch students perform and find their own musical niches. He said, “I’ve been brought to tears more than once by student performances.” n PHOTO BY SHAWNA WIDDEL
UND Discovery n Autumn 2013 n 13