Hans W. Koch

Hans W. Koch (*1962) is a composer, sound artist, and Professor of Sound at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne. He studied music, history, and physics at Weingarten University of Education (1984-1988) and composition at Cologne University of Music with Johannes Fritsch (1988-1995). His career includes a visiting professorship at California Institute of the Arts (2007) and lecturing at Robert Schumann University of Music and Media Düsseldorf (2012-present).

• Academy of Media Arts Cologne
• Robert Schumann University of Music and Media Düsseldorf
• California Institute of the Arts

Koch's research focuses on sound as a conceptual process, hidden aspects of everyday objects, and computers as literal musical instruments. His work bridges new music, media art, and experimental composition, emphasizing minimal material and maximal thought. He has curated Cologne-based sound events like BrückenMusik (1999-2012) and Reihe M (2009-present), while serving on the board of ON - neue musik köln since 2010.

His publications and compositions explore avant-garde composers (John Cage, Giacinto Scelsi, Nicolai Obouchow), algorithmic sound generation, and non-traditional listening. His works have been presented internationally at festivals and broadcasted widely.