Michael Angell

What I do.

I am a composer and music teacher (Assistant Professor) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I teach courses in Music Theory, Ear Training, Composition, and Music Technology. I also direct an ensemble called the MIDI Ensemble, which involves helping students create and perform music using synthesizers and computers.

As a composer, I write classical music. Some of it is just for acoustic instruments; some of it involves computer-generated sounds. Lately, I've enjoyed writing pieces for live performer(s) with electronic sounds recorded on tape. I like the live performer/machine combination, and particularly enjoy the human interaction with electronic sounds. With a little tenacity and networking, I get performances at concert and recital halls, universities, and at new music festivals.

I'm also the co-founder and president of the composers' group, The Birmingham Art Music Alliance. This group is, basically, a bunch of composers of classical music, from around Birmingham, Alabama, who have gotten together to present concerts of their music around the city. We're into our second season, have attracted a pretty enthusiastic following, and are looking to expand in the coming year. The most satisfying part of this activity is just being around other creative musicians. It gives us all a real sense of community, as well as a great local forum for the presentation of our works.

What I Use.

Here's some of the equipment I use for composing:

• Performer-Sequencing software
• Proteus 2-Synthesizer
• Alesis Microverb-Digital Reverberation Unit
• SampleCell-Computer sample playback card
• Deck II-Hard disk recording software
• SoundEdit 16-sample editing and recording software
• Numerous other pieces of sound editing and composition software.
• Pencil and paper. There's something about grabbing a pencil, that beautiful low-tech instrument, and scribbling away that can be surprisingly liberating.
• Microcomputer. My computer is an Apple Macintosh IIci with a Turbo 601 upgrade, so it's basically a low-end PowerMac. I hope to upgrade to a new, faster PowerMac or Mac clone soon. By the way, I don't think Apple is going to go out of business any time soon. They make computers that are easy to use, are great values, reliable, powerful, and have loads of great software available, especially for those of us in the arts. Okay, enough evangelizing.

Advice for young creative people.

1. First of all, believe in what you do. Despite what some clueless politicians may say, the arts do matter, and make a positive difference in people's lives.
2. Next, find your friends. Hang around other creative people. You never know what influence can lead to an idea for a great piece of music.
3. Try to learn something each day; whether it's from a teacher, a friend, or someone you meet in line at the grocery store.
4. Network! Stay connected via the net (especially the WOW'EM page), the phone, the mail, and the handshake. It's work, but can be fun, and lead to making new friends.
5. Give yourself the permission to follow your crazy dream. Explore, create, take a chance.
6. Be organized in a way that can help you bring that dream to reality. Be prepared to create your niche. If your ideal job isn't around, maybe you need to create it. Standard ways of making a living are great destinations for some; they're great points of departure for others.

Good luck!

Feel free to send me some email at :

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Copyright September 1996,
updated February 2004.
Kristine H. Burns,
Florida International University
Questions? Contact me.