Scott L. Miller

Biography

Scott L. Miller is an American composer described as ‘a true force on the avant-ambient scene’ of ‘high adventure avant garde music of the best sort’ (Classical-Modern Music Review). Best known for his electroacoustic chamber music and ecosystemic performance pieces, his music is characterized by collaborative approaches to composition and the use of electronics, exploring performer/computer improvisation and re-imagining ancient compositional processes through the lens of 21st century technology. 

His recent work experiments with VR applications in live concerts, first realized in his composition Raba, created for Tallinn-based Ensemble U:. In 2019, Miller released The Blue in the Distance, a 360º Virtual Reality film featuring his sonically immersive, classical ambient style. The film explores Quarry Park Reserve in Waite Park, MN. Since spring of 2020, he has become an active producer of telematic music, using specialized software and home-quality internet to produce live concerts and commercial recordings while socially distanced with musicians and audiences at home rather than in the concert hall. He is currently working producing monthly webisodes commissioned by his long-time collaborators, the new music ensemble Zeitgeist, in a series of works collectively titled COINCIDENT. These are rehearsed and recorded telematically and feature collaborations with live installation video artists (Carole Kim), spoken-word artists (Joe Horton), and members of Cleveland-based ensemble No Exit.

Three time McKnight Composer Fellow, his work is frequently performed by soloists, ensembles, and at festivals throughout North America and Europe. Recordings of his music are available on New Focus Recordings, Innova, and other labels. His music is published by the American Composers Alliance, Tetractys, and Jeanné. His most recent albums are Ghost Layers: TAK Performs Miller (FCR253) and 05 IX (RR006), recorded telematically with the UK-based ensemble rarescale

Miller is a Professor of Music at St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, where he teaches composition, electroacoustic music and theory. He is Past-President (2014—18) of the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the U.S. (SEAMUS) and presently Director of SEAMUS Records.

ACE Publications

49 title(s)
Composer Title SCORING/INSTRUMENTATION Year
Scott L. Miller Invitation Open Instrumentation With Fixed Media
Any number of instruments or voices
Scott L. Miller Jardins Mécaniques 4 Instruments and Interactive Electronics
Scott L. Miller JARDINS MÉCANIQUES CONGELÉS
4-channel audio
Scott L. Miller KATABASIS 4 Instruments
Number of instruments is flexible.
Scott L. Miller LOVELY LITTLE MONSTER Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, and Electronics (Fixed or Live)
Scott L. Miller MEDITATION FOR GUITAR AND ELECTRONIC SOUND Guitar and Fixed Media
Scott L. Miller ORCHa Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, and Fixed-Media Electronics
Scott L. Miller PROOF OF CONCEPT Trumpet, Violin, Viola, and Interactive Electronics
Scott L. Miller Pure Pleasure Solo Percussion and Fixed-Media Electronics
Scott L. Miller RABA Alto Flute, Violin, Cello, Tam-Tam, and Fixed-Media Electronics
Scott L. Miller RABA for Ensemble U Alto Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano, Tam-tam, and Fixed-Media Electronic Sound
Scott L. Miller RUBBER BAND, MAN Marimba and Fixed-Media Electronics
Scott L. Miller Solstice Orrery Fixed-media audio
Scott L. Miller Spring 2020 Open Instrumentation
Any number of instruments, voices, or electronics
Scott L. Miller Summer 2020 Open Instrumentation
Any number of instruments, voices, or electronics
Scott L. Miller THREE GESTURES Clarinet, Cello and Piano
Scott L. Miller TIPPING POINT Bass Clarinet, Percussion, Marimba, Piano, and Live Electronics
Scott L. Miller TWILIGHT Soprano, Bass Clarinet, Vibraphone, and Fixed Media Electronics

Additional Works

Published by the composer:

  • Consortium (2009) - for solo instrument and either live or fixed electronics
  • No. 6 (2013) - for clarinet, tenor saxophone, keyboard, and live electronics
  • Satisfied (2013) - for clarinet, tenor saxophone, keyboard, and live electronics
  • Silent (2013) - for clarinet, tenor saxophone, keyboard, and live electronics
  • Strange Demons (2013) - for two soprano saxophones, keyboard, and live electronics
  • This Strange Fine-Tuning of Our Universe (2013) - for flute and live electronics
  • Two Steps Forward (2013) - for clarinet, soprano saxophone, keyboard, and live electronics