GUNTER GAUPP
GUNTER GAUPP is a composer and guitar player based in Memphis, Tn who’s work combines interests in noise composition and genre music. His recent work utilizes folk melodies, chaotic textures, and improvisation to explore themes of interpersonal connection and accessibility.
In particular, his work looks to utilize visceral, relatable gestures along with familiar tonal languages and extended techniques in order to encourage meaningful connection in shared spaces. A recent partnership with Crosstown Arts in Memphis resulted in a performance project wherein the performers and audience were challenged to connect over a shared experience despite not sharing physical space. The resulting piece focused on the use of gestures centered around breath, heartbeat, and vocalization to encourage players to become more intimately aware of their physical relationship to one another and extend a sense of physical vulnerability to an audience. Gunter will serve as a composer in residence at Crosstown Arts in Spring 2022 where he will build upon the themes in this piece as he works toward the release of his debut album.
Additionally, Gunter works as the music teacher at Memphis Rise Academy High School where his curriculum focuses on the use of music technology, improvisation, and experiential learning as means of empowering student artistic voices. He is passionate about the opportunity for new music to offer greater equity in music education and ultimately enable students to build a stronger, local music community. He teaches courses in concert band, jazz band, guitar, and music technology.
Gunter’s work has been recognized in calls for scores by TEMPO Ensemble, Ann DuHamel and New York Dance & Arts Innovations and will be featured in Boston New Music Initiative’s Living Music Summit in Summer 2022. His music has been presented by ensembles across the US and abroad including the Hypercube, Julius Quartet, Four Corners Ensemble, Quijote Duo and Ensemble PHACE. He holds a BA in jazz guitar performance from Rhodes College as well as an MM in composition and Master’s in Teaching from the University of Memphis.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Breath/Heart/Voice: chamber ensemble - VIRTUAL PREMIERE coming soon, as part of Crosstown Arts’ “A Change of Tone” series
I Want to Scream Until I Drown the Sea: chamber winds and electronics
SELECTED MEDIA
Soon My Apartment Will Swallow Me Whole (2021)
A Wind Badly Wants to Move the Earth (2021)
Julius Quartet