Stevens’ Art, Music & Technology performances: Nov. 29 and Dec. 6

HOBOKEN , N.J. — The Department of Art , Music and Technology (DAMT) at Stevens Institute of Technology will present its annual student performances at two upcoming events. On Wednesday, November 29, the department will hold its voice, piano, flute and violin recitals from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in DeBaun Auditorium. The following week, the department will present its first annual DAMT Showcase on Wednesday, December 6, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Showcase, also held in DeBaun Auditorium, will feature video and animation screenings, still presentations, sculptures, electronic music scores in surround sound, and student compositions, including the new class song, “Dorm Life.” Both events are free and open to the public.

During the Showcase, Stevens’ Guitar Technique Instructor and iGuitar endorser, Carlos Alomar, and his MiniMidiMagic Orchestra will be using nine iGuitars, supplied by Brian Moore Guitars and Roland Corporation, to play various samples and instrument sounds throughout the recital. Their performance will include orchestral sounds used to support the Stevens Cho ir, under the direction of Bet hany Reeves. The MiniMidiMagic Orchestra will play various works, including Mozart’s “Requiem,” by creating orchestral music though the iGuitars.

“This year the Stevens’ advanced guitar students and I explored the guitar as a synthesized instrument. With the advent of Midi , the guitar can now be transformed into any instrument imaginable. So imagine if you would, eight guitarists capable of transforming themselves into any virtual orchestra. That’s the MiniMidiMagic Orchestra,” said Alomar.

For the recital, Stevens has partnered with iGuitar, which is used at Stevens to teach students to learn and compose music using computer technology for various projects. The iGuitar.USB enables the guitarist to control the entire project studio and desktop music environment. This enables guitarists to compete for higher-paying work in the music industry, such as writing for broadcast television and cable shows, commercials, jingles, Broadway shows and other live performances.

“Back in the 1980s after recording David Bowie’s Low and Heroes albums, I recorded a synthesizer guitar album. These songs have never been played live because the technology was not available till now. Thanks to the Brian Moore Guitar company and the Roland Corporation we can now, two decades later, perform these pieces for a live audience,” said Alomar.

About Carlos Alomar

Carlos Alomar, well known as one of David Bowie’s favorite guitarists and musical directors, co-founder of the “National Rock Movement of Puerto Rico” and Former National Vice-Chairman of the Grammy Organization, has been influencing the music industry for many years. He wrote his first number-one single with David Bowie and John Lennon, collaborating together on "Fame.". He also co-wrote Mick Jagger’s multi-platinum solo album “Shes the Boss” and has written for the Pretenders, Iggy Pop and various international artists. He is the recipient of 32 Gold and/or Platinum records. Over the years he has loaned his special flavor of guitar playing to such greats as David Bowie, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Queen Latifah, Mariah Carey, Nine inch Nails, Luther Vandross, Liza Minelli, Iggy Pop, Peter, Paul and Mary, Deborah Cox, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Yoko Ono, Bette Midler, James Brown, The Bee Gees, Cyndi Lauper, Carly Simon, Duran Duran, Simple Minds, Prefab Sprout, Scissor Sisters and more.

His music has also been featured in films such as: The Banger Sisters, 15 minutes, A Soldiers Daughter Never Cries, Usual Suspects, Copycat, Pretty Woman, Pretty in Pink and Christina F. Carlos has also scored three documentaries for award-winning director Barbara Koppel. Alomar is an active member of the Grammy organization National Academy of Recording Art s and Sciences and is a vigilant volunteer for Grammy in the Schools, where he has served as past Chapter Governor (98-99). He was elected the first New York Latino Trustee in 1999, has served on national and local committees and as a Latin Advisory Committee member for L.A.R.A.S. Carlos has served as National Vice-chairman of N.A.R.A.S. He presently serves as President Emeritus of the New York Chapter (2006).

About Brian Moore Guitars

Brian Moore Guitars was founded in 1992 as a manufacturer of high end, custom made electrics guitars, blending art with technology. The first instrument design was the MC/1, a joint design effort between Brian Moore and Patrick Cumming, which featured an ergonomic neck thru design. It blended the strength and sustain of advanced composite material with the tone and beauty of wood.

The all wood C-series design came next and echoed many of the unique design elements of the flagship MC/1 such as the comfort contoured top, sculpted headstock and the highest figured maple wood tops available.

Brian Moore embraces technology advances that offer every guitarist new and creative musical possibilities while preserving the look and feel of more traditional instruments.

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.

Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.  

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