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Jon C. Nelson

Title: Professor

Department: Composition Studies

College: College of Music

Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae Link

Education

  • PhD, Brandeis University, 1991
    Major: Music
    Specialization: Music Composition
    Dissertation: Compositional Technique in Elliott Carter's Penthode: A Study in Phraseology and Formal Design and his Composition Entitled "Six Etudes Braves for Violoncello and Tape"
  • MFA, Brandeis University, 1988
    Major: Music
    Specialization: Music Composition and Theory
    Dissertation: Chamber Symphony
  • BA, Bethel College, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1982
    Major: Music and Music Education, magna cum laude

Current Scheduled Teaching

MUGC 6950.707Doctoral DissertationSpring 2025
MUCP 4180.701Advanced Composition IIIFall 2024
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicFall 2024
MUAC 1540.700Private Lessons (Concentration) in ElectronicsFall 2024
MUAC 1540.705Private Lessons (Concentration) in ElectronicsFall 2024
MUAC 3540.705Private Lessons (Concentration) in ElectronicsFall 2024
MUCP 4080.701Secondary Composition IIFall 2024
MUCP 6900.702Special ProblemsFall 2024
MUCP 5690.002Topics in Computer MusicFall 2024
MUCP 4690.002Topics in Computer Music MediaFall 2024 Syllabus

Previous Scheduled Teaching

MUCP 3190.701Advanced Composition IISpring 2024 SPOT
MUCP 6190.701Doctoral CompositionSpring 2024 SPOT
MUGC 6950.707Doctoral DissertationSpring 2024 SPOT
MUCP 4080.701Secondary Composition IISpring 2024 SPOT
MUGC 5900.703Special ProblemsSpring 2024 SPOT
MUCP 5690.001Topics in Computer MusicSpring 2024 SPOT
MUCP 4690.001Topics in Computer Music MediaSpring 2024 SPOT
MUCP 3180.701Advanced Composition IFall 2023
MUCP 5185.701Concentration CompositionFall 2023
MUGC 6950.707Doctoral DissertationFall 2023
MUGC 6950.734Doctoral DissertationFall 8W2 2023
MUCP 4080.701Secondary Composition IIFall 2023
MUCP 6190.701Doctoral CompositionSpring 2023
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationSpring 2023 SPOT
MUCP 3670.001Introduction to Electroacoustic MusicSpring 2023 SPOT
MUGC 5950.702Master's ThesisSpring 2023 SPOT
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationFall 2022
MUCP 3180.701Advanced Composition IFall 2021 SPOT
MUCP 3190.701Advanced Composition IIFall 2021
MUCP 4180.701Advanced Composition IIIFall 2021
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationFall 2021
MUCP 5190.709Master's CompositionFall 2021
MUCP 5910.700Special ProblemsFall 2021
MUGC 5910.701Special ProblemsFall 2021
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicSpring 2021 SPOT
MUCP 6190.701Doctoral CompositionSpring 2021 SPOT
MUCP 4080.701Secondary Composition IISpring 2021 SPOT
MUCP 5900.703Special ProblemsSpring 2021
MUCP 5690.001Topics in Computer MusicSpring 2021 SPOT
MUCP 4690.001Topics in Computer Music MediaSpring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
MUCP 6190.701Doctoral CompositionFall 2020 SPOT
MUCP 5180.701Secondary CompositionFall 2020 SPOT
MUCP 5910.703Special ProblemsFall 2020
MUGC 5900.703Special ProblemsFall 2020
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicFall 2019
MUCP 5080.700Composition SeminarFall 2019 SPOT
MUCP 4180.701Advanced Composition IIIFall 2018
MUCP 5180.701Secondary CompositionFall 2018
MUCP 4080.701Secondary Composition IIFall 2018
MUCP 5190.701Master's CompositionSpring 2018
MUCP 4080.701Secondary Composition IISpring 2018
MUCP 5690.001Topics in Electroacoustic MusicSpring 2018 SPOT
MUCP 4180.701Advanced Composition IIIFall 2017
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationFall 2017
MUCP 6190.701Doctoral CompositionSpring 2017
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationSpring 2017
MUCP 5190.701Master's CompositionSpring 2017
MUGC 5950.702Master's ThesisSpring 2017
MUCP 6190.701Doctoral CompositionFall 2016
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationFall 2016
MUGC 5950.702Master's ThesisFall 2016
MUCP 6900.701Special ProblemsSummer 5W2 2016
MUCP 6190.701Doctoral CompositionSpring 2016 SPOT
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationSpring 2016
MUCP 5190.701Master's CompositionSpring 2016 SPOT
MUGC 5950.702Master's ThesisSpring 2016
MUCP 5690.001Topics in Electroacoustic MusicSpring 2016 SPOT
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationFall 2015
MUGC 5950.702Master's ThesisFall 2015
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicSpring 2015
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationSpring 2015
MUGC 5950.702Master's ThesisSpring 2015
MUCP 6465.001Topics in Contemporary MusicSpring 2015
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationFall 2014
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicSpring 2014
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationSpring 2014
MUGC 5950.702Master's ThesisSpring 2014
MUCP 5180.701Secondary CompositionSpring 2014
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicFall 2013
MUCP 5080.700Composition SeminarFall 2013
MUCP 5185.701Concentration CompositionFall 2013
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationFall 2013
MUCP 6195.701Advanced Research in CompositionSpring 2013
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicSpring 2013
MUCP 6190.701Doctoral CompositionSpring 2013
MUCP 5190.701Master's CompositionSpring 2013
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicFall 2012
MUCP 5690.001Topics in Electroacoustic MusicFall 2012
MUGC 6950.705Doctoral DissertationSpring 2012
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicFall 2011
MUGC 6950.701Doctoral DissertationFall 2011
MUGC 5950.711Master's ThesisFall 2011
MUGC 6950.702Doctoral DissertationSummer 5W2 2011
MUGC 6950.710Doctoral DissertationSpring 2011
MUCP 4900.701Special ProblemsSpring 2011
MUCP 6195.701Advanced Research in CompositionFall 2010
MUCP 6200.701Advanced Research in Computer MusicFall 2010
MUGC 6950.704Doctoral DissertationFall 2010
MUGC 5950.709Master's ThesisFall 2010
MUCP 6900.701Special ProblemsSummer 5W2 2010
MUCP 6195.700Advanced Research in CompositionSpring 2010
MUGC 6950.710Doctoral DissertationSpring 2010
MUGC 5950.705Master's ThesisSpring 2010
MUCP 5690.001Topics in Electroacoustic MusicSpring 2010
MUCP 6195.701Advanced Research in CompositionFall 2009
MUCP 6200.700Advanced Research in Computer MusicFall 2009
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionFall 2009
MUGC 6950.718Doctoral DissertationFall 2009
MUCP 5190.704Master's CompositionFall 2009
MUCP 4080.703Secondary Composition IIFall 2009
MUCP 6200.702Advanced Research in Computer MusicSpring 2009
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionSpring 2009
MUGC 6950.708Doctoral DissertationSpring 2009
MUCP 5190.704Master's CompositionSpring 2009
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionFall 2008
MUGC 6950.703Doctoral DissertationFall 2008
MUGC 6950.702Doctoral DissertationSummer 5W2 2008
MUGC 6950.707Doctoral DissertationSummer 5W1 2008
MUCP 6200.700Advanced Computer Music ResearchSpring 2008
MUCP 5185.704Concentration CompositionSpring 2008
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionSpring 2008
MUGC 6950.713Doctoral DissertationSpring 2008
MUCP 6200.700Advanced Computer Music ResearchFall 2007
MUGC 6950.714Doctoral DissertationFall 2007
MUCP 5910.702Special ProblemsFall 2007
MUCP 6900.701Special ProblemsSummer 5W2 2007
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionSpring 2007
MUGC 6950.717Doctoral DissertationSpring 2007
MUCP 4190.704Senior Composition RecitalSpring 2007
MUCP 6900.702Special ProblemsSpring 2007
MUCP 4180.704Advanced Composition IIIFall 2006
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionFall 2006
MUGC 6950.718Doctoral DissertationFall 2006
MUCP 4910.701Special ProblemsFall 2006
MUCP 6900.701Special ProblemsFall 2006
MUCP 5690.001Topics in Electroacoustic MusicFall 2006
MUCP 4190.704Advanced Composition IVSpring 2006
MUCP 6200.700Advanced Computer Music ResearchSpring 2006
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionSpring 2006
MUGC 6950.710Doctoral DissertationSpring 2006
MUCP 5190.704Master's CompositionSpring 2006
MUCP 5180.704Secondary CompositionSpring 2006
MUCP 6900.705Special ProblemsSpring 2006
MUCP 3180.704Advanced Composition IFall 2005
MUCP 3190.704Advanced Composition IIFall 2005
MUCP 6200.700Advanced Computer Music ResearchFall 2005
MUGC 6950.714Doctoral DissertationFall 2005
MUCP 6200.700Advanced Computer Music ResearchSpring 2005
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionSpring 2005
MUCP 5910.701Special ProblemsSpring 2005
MUCP 6900.702Special ProblemsSpring 2005
MUCP 4180.704Advanced Composition IIIFall 2004
MUCP 6200.700Advanced Computer Music ResearchFall 2004
MUCP 6190.704Doctoral CompositionFall 2004
MUCP 5670.001Introduction to Electro Acoustic MusicFall 2004
MUCP 5900.701Special ProblemsFall 2004

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book

  • score and audio excerpts. (2004). "They Wash Their Ambassadors in Citrus and Fennel" Michael Edward Edgerton's The 21st Century Voice.
  • Richard Boulanger, ed.. (2000). "Understanding and Using Csound's GEN Routines." In The Csound Book.
  • Book Review

  • Jon Christopher Nelson. (1997). Review of David Tudor's "Three Works For Live Electronics.".
  • CD Recording - Solo

  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). Ripples in the Fabric of Space-Time. CIME 2023.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). And Time Unfolds Like a Flower. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). Bang, Crunch, Bounce. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). Ripples in the Fabric of Space-Time. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). The Entropy of Memory. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). Tightly Wound. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). Toward the Event Horizon. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). When Left to His Own Devices. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). Toward the Event Horizon. Krakow,
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). and sometimes wind from the south.
  • Nelson, J.C. and sometimes wind from the south. Krakow,
  • Nelson, J.C. (2019). Bebop in the Forsest of Lonely Rhythms.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2019). When Left To His Own Devices. (2019 ICEM/Acousmonium) Krakow,
  • Conference Proceeding

  • Nelson, J.C. (2019). MVerb: A Modifed Waveguide Mesh Reverb Plugin. 2019 International CSound Conference Conference Proceedings. 2019 Proceedings 6. Cagli, International CSound Conference 2019 Proceedings. https://csound.com/icsc2019/proceedings.html
  • Journal Article

  • Nelson, J.C. (1999). Review of Annette Vande Gorne's "Impalpables.
  • Jon Christopher Nelson. (1996). "Guide to World Wide Web and FTP Sites".
  • Jon Christopher Nelson. (1995). "The Musician's Internet Primer".
  • Musical Composition

  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). The Entropy of Memory. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2023). Bang, Crunch, Bounce. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). Ripples in the Fabric of Space-Time. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). Toward the Event Horizon. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). Tightly Wound. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2021). And Time Unfolds Like a Flower. The Persistence of Time and Memory.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). and sometimes wind from the south.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). and sometimes wind from the south.
  • Software

  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). MPEbowed. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). MPEbrass. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). MPEclarinet. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). MPEflute. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). MPEvco. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). SFilter (FiltFrzDev). https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). Spectral Diffuser. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2022). Stringy. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2021). Wave Terrain Synth. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). Syncopath. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). Combkey. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). Decalog. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). Granary. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). MorFFT. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). MVerb (rev.) and MVerb3D. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). ReSynthesizer. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). Scrubber. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Nelson, J.C. (2020). WaveMorphSynth. Combkey is a MIDI keyboard controlled comb filter with alternate tunings and multiple sound input options.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2019). MVerb: A Digital Waveguide Mesh Reverb Plugin. Denton, TX, https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/software
  • Richard Boulanger, ed.. (2000). "Composing With Csound: Granular Strategies" on the CD-ROM accompanying The Csound Book.
  • Richard Boulanger, ed.. (2000). GrainMaker 2.0 , a Csound soundfile granulation score generator, on the CD-ROM accompanying The Csound Book.
  • Video and Audiovisual Material

  • Nelson, J.C. (2018). When Left To His Own Devices. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/when-left-his-own-devices
  • Nelson, J.C. (2017). Where Lines and Curves are Scattering. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/where-lines-and-curves-are-scattering
  • Nelson, J.C. (2016). Illusory Lines.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2016). Inside a Cloud of Butterflies. http://www.computermusic.org/
  • Nelson, J.C. (2016). Spinning Silence in the Possible Blue. https://jcnelson.music.unt.edu/spinning-silence-possible-blue
  • Nelson, J.C. (2015). Turbulent Blue.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2012). Gerry Rigged,released in 2012 on the Centaur label's Consortium for the Distribution of Computer Music (CDCM) CD series, volume 39, Music from CEMI, crc 3219. Related Links: http://music.unt.edu/CDCM/.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2012). Turbulent Blue, released in September 2012 on the International Computer Music Association's ICMC 2012 compact disc. Related Links: http://computermusic.org/.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2012). Turbulent Blue. Other. International Computer Music Association. http://computermusic.org/
  • Nelson, J.C. (2011). Turbulent Blue, released in 2011 on the companion CD for Stephen Lias' Contemporary Art Music in Texas: a Guide to Composers, Organizations, and Degree Programs. Nacogdoches, TX: SFA Press, 2011..
  • Nelson, J.C. (2010). objet sonore/objet cinétique, released in 2010 on the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States "Music from SEAMUS 19" compact disc. Related Links: http://www.seamusonline.org/seamuscd.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2009). objet sonore/objet cinétique, released in 2009 on the CIMESP International Competition Prize Winners compact disc, Studio PANorama, Musica Maximalista Vol. 14, Sao Paulo, Brazil (AA0001000). Related Links: http://www.flomenezes.mus.br/panaroma/cimesp.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2005). L'Horloge imaginaire, released in 2005 on the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States "Music from SEAMUS 14" compact disc (EAM 2004). Related Links: http://www.seamusonline.org/seamuscd.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2004). L'Horloge imaginaire , released in 2004 on the Mnémosyne Musique Média Bourges 2002 Bourges Commissions CD in France. Related Links: http://www.mnemosyne-musique.com/.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2003). Dhoormages , released in 2003 on the American Composers Forum "Sonic Circuits X" compact disc (Innova 119). Related Links: http://www.innova.mu/electronic.aspx.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2003). Scatter , released in March 2003 on "Cultures électroniques no. 16," Mnémosyne Musique Média Bourges 2002 Prix Quadrivium CD in France (LDC 278 076/77). Related Links: http://www.mnemosyne-musique.com/.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2001). Scatter , recording released in June 2001 on the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States "Music from SEAMUS 10" compact disc (EAM 2001). Related Links: http://www.seamusonline.org/seamuscd.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2001). Scatter , recording released in October 2001 on the American Composers Forum "Sonic Circuits IX" compact disc (Innova 118). Related Links: http://www.innova.mu/electronic.aspx.
  • Nelson, J.C. (2000). Other Terrains , recording released in April 2000 on the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States "Music from SEAMUS 9" compact disc(EAM 2000). Related Links: http://www.seamusonline.org/seamuscd.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (1998). A Chris Mann Mambo , released in April 1998 on the The Frog Peak Collaborations Project CD (FP007). Related Links: http://www.frogpeak.org/fpcds/index.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (1998). the rain has a slap and a curve , recording released in November 1998 on the Centaur label's Consortium for the Distribution of Computer Music (CDCM) CD Series, Volume 27, "CEMIsonics: The Threshold of Sound," CRC 2407. Related Links: http://music.unt.edu/CDCM.
  • Nelson, J.C. (1998). They Wash Their Ambassadors in Citrus and Fennel , recording with Heidi Dietrich Klein performing, released in March 1998 on the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States "Music from SEAMUS 7" compact disc (EAM 9801). Related Links: http://www.seamusonline.org/seamuscd.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (1997). They Wash Their Ambassadors in Citrus and Fennel , recording with Joan La Barbara performing released in March 1997 on "Cultures électroniques no. 9," Mnémosyne Musique Média Bourges 1996 Prix Quadrivium CD in France (LDC 278 060/61). Related Links: http://www.mnemosyne-musique.com/.
  • Nelson, J.C. (1995). Six études brèves , recording with Rhonda Rider performing released in May 1995 on the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States "Music from SEAMUS 4" compact disc (EAM-9501). Related Links: http://www.seamusonline.org/seamuscd.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (1995). They Wash Their Ambassadors in Citrus and Fennel , recording with Joan La Barbara performing released in November 1995 on the 17th International Luigi Russolo Competition winners CD in Italy. Related Links: http://luigi.russolo.free.fr/winners.html.
  • Nelson, J.C. (1995). They Wash Their Ambassadors in Citrus and Fennel , recording with Joan La Barbara performing released in September 1995 on the International Computer Music Association's ICMC 95 "Digital Playgrounds" compact disc. Related Links: http://computermusic.org/.
  • Nelson, J.C. (1994). Waves of Refraction , recording with William Buonocore performing released in August 1994 on the NEUMA "Electro-Acoustic Music III" compact disc (NEUMA 450-87). Related Links: http://www.neumarecords.com/.

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

    Fellowship

  • Nelson, J.C., "UNT Institute for the Advancement of the Arts Faculty Fellowship," sponsored by UNT, University of North Texas, $18000 Funded. (2022 - 2023).
  • Nelson, J.C., "residency to compose a new electroacoustic work at the Visby International Composers Center," sponsored by Visby International Composers Center, International, $16500 Funded. (2023 - 2023).
  • Nelson, J.C. (Principal), "The Persistence of Time and Memory," sponsored by UNT, University of North Texas, $60000 Funded. (2022 - 2020).
  • Grant - Research

  • Nelson, J.C., "UNTCreative Impact Award," sponsored by UNT, University of North Texas, $5000 Funded. (2022 - 2022).
  • Nelson, J.C., "Points Along the Spectral Continuum," sponsored by UNT Office of Research and Innovation, University of North Texas, $5000 Funded. (2021 - 2021).
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Overall
Summative Rating
Challenge and
Engagement Index
Response Rate

out of 5

out of 7
%
of
students responded
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
    • The course as a whole was
    • The course content was
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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