Music composition for iPad performance: Examining perspectives

Abstract

This qualitative research investigated a music composition created specifically for performance on iPads. It examined perspectives of the composers, performers and audience member participants. Composers were undergraduate music education majors with concentrations in music composition, performers were undergraduate music education majors, and audience members included music majors, composers, music theory professors and conductors of traditional large ensembles. Data included the notated composition and written reflection statements by the composers, performers and audience members. Reflection questions guided the statements, and included: how does composing for iPad instruments differ from composing for more traditional instruments? How do you feel performing on an iPad differs from performing on more traditional instruments? What were the challenges that you encountered and how did you respond to them? And, what did you like best and least about this composition and/or performance? The data were analysed for emergent themes, and the themes discussed.