معرفی
William Alves is an Associate Professor of Music in the Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (HSA) at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. He is a composer, video artist, and scholar with deep expertise in ethnomusicology, particularly Indonesian gamelan, computer music, visual music, and alternate tuning systems. Alves co-directs MicroFest, Southern California’s annual festival of microtonal music, and directs the American Gamelan and Electronic Music ensembles at the Claremont Colleges.
- Associate Professor of Music, Harvey Mudd College
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (HSA)
- Director, American Gamelan Ensemble
- Director, Electronic Music Ensemble
- Co-Director, MicroFest Festival of Microtonal Music
His research and creative work explore the intersections of music, technology, and global cultural traditions. He is particularly known for his work in world music pedagogy, having authored the widely adopted textbook Music of the Peoples of the World, now in its third edition, and for his biography of composer Lou Harrison. His compositions span gamelan, electronic music, and multimedia works, often blending Western and non-Western traditions.
Alves’s publications and creative output reflect a strong interdisciplinary focus, with articles in journals such as Perspectives of New Music, Computer Music Journal, and SEAMUS Journal. His recent works explore microtonality, electroacoustic composition, visual music, and cross-cultural musical synthesis. The themes across his articles and compositions include global musical traditions, technological innovation in sound, and the blending of visual and auditory art forms.
His scholarly and artistic contributions have been recognized through a Senior Fulbright Scholarship in Indonesia (1993–1994), where he studied and taught traditional music. He has also been active in performance, participating in Javanese and Balinese gamelan ensembles and West African drumming groups.
- Senior Fulbright Scholar, Indonesia (1993–1994)
- Co-author, Biography of Lou Harrison
- Author, Music of the Peoples of the World (3rd ed.)
- Published recordings: The Terrain of Possibilities, Imbal-Imbalan, Mystic Canyon, Guitars and Gamelan
- Video works: Celestial Dance (published by Kinetica Video Library)
Alves has advised and mentored students through ensemble direction and coursework, though specific names of advisees are not listed. He has taught a wide range of courses including Music of the Peoples of the World, Electronic Music, Film Music, and Music Since 1900. He has also contributed to academic discourse through publications and festival leadership. There is no mention of formal research grants, but his Fulbright award indicates significant recognition and funding support in the past.
He is affiliated with the Society for Ethnomusicology and has led or participated in various musical ensembles and festivals, contributing to a vibrant interdisciplinary arts community at the Claremont Colleges. His work continues to bridge academic scholarship with artistic practice, fostering innovative approaches to music and culture.
