Martin Ross

Martin Ross is an Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Western University, affiliated with the Don Wright Faculty of Music. He specializes in 20th-century musical modernisms and minimalist music, with a focus on semiotics, gesture theory, and subjective frameworks for analyzing musical meaning.

• Ph.D., Western University (2023)
• M.Mus., University of Massachusetts-Amherst
• B.Mus., University of Nebraska-Lincoln

His research explores intersections of gesture, semiotics, and narrative in minimalist compositions, particularly works by Steve Reich. Current projects include studies of sonic iconicity in Arvo Pärt’s tintinnabuli music and phenomenological experiences in video game soundtracks.

Recent publications examine narrative potential in Reich’s purely rhythmic compositions and gesture theory in process music. Martin serves as Secretary for the Society for Minimalist Music and has presented at conferences across North America and Europe.