Steven Bryant

The Machine Awakes is the sound of something not human (but of humans hands) – something not entirely organic, but most definitely alive – waking up for the first time. From the opening swirling textures, we sense the first hesitant sparks of thought, attempting to find form and coherence. This new machine – sentient, aware – comes fully awake, possessed of emphatic self-determination and unfathomable purpose.

The electronics for this work are triggered from a computer (Macintosh or Windows) via a self-contained program, freely downloadable from this website, or from an iPhone/iPad/Android device, using the apps available on the Apple App Store ($0.99).

Commissioning Consortium Members

• A.L. Stanback Middle School, Hillsborough, NC, J. Michael Capps, Director
• Asheboro High School, Asheboro, NC, Phil Homiller and Suzanne Benhart, Directors
• Broken Arrow Bands, Broken Arrow, OK, Darrin Davis, Director
• Cedar Ridge High School, Hillsborough, NC, Patricia H. Quigley, Director
• Central Davidson Middle School, Lexington, NC, Rodney K. Workman, Director
• C.W. Stanford Middle School, Hillsborough, NC, Mary E. May, Director
• Davis Drive Middle School, Cary, NC, Christopher Forgione, Director
• Eastern Randolph High School, Ramseur, NC, Josh Cvijanovic, Director
• Gravelly Hill Middle School, Efland, NC, Arris A. Golden, Director
• Jay M. Robinson High School, Blair Smith, director
• Marvin Ridge Middle School, Jennifer Isenhour and Keith James , Directors
• Mount Tabor High School, Winston Salem, NC, Marc Schaub, Director
• Newport Middle School, Newport, NC, David Stroud, Director
• North Carolina School of Science and Math, Durham, NC, Phillip Riggs, Director
• Orange High School, Hillsborough, NC, Andy Carter, Director
• Rhode Island College, Rob Franzblau, Director
• Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, Raleigh, NC, Clifton E. Scott, Director
• Southern Middle School, Aberdeen, NC, Mary Beth Baginski, Director
• Wakefield High School, Raleigh, NC, Morgan Brockman, Director
• West Forsyth High School, Winston Salem, NC, Jim Kirkpatrick and Phil Spencer, Directors
• Ball State University, Thomas Caneva and Shawn Vondran, Directors

Commissioned by: A consortium of high schools and middle schools organized by Arris Golden

Premiered

10 May 2012, Cedar Ridge High School, Hillsboro, NC – Arris Golden, conductor

Technical Info

View Instrumentation List