Mr Alan Cook
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts
College of Creative Arts, Design and Humanities
Alan Cook is a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at the Elder Conservatorium of Music whose research pursues a contextual approach to anthropophonic sound. He follows sounds as they circulate through various networks, processes, and infrastructures, and then transforms those encounters using formalised algorithmic techniques.Through his research Alan seeks to unify narrative, field recordings, site specific data, mathematics, and sculpture. He explores how electro-mechanical sounds interact by developing compositional strategies that create abstractions of anthropophonic sound.
As a current Doctor of Philosophy candidate, I am exploring electro-mechanical sounds in the Onkaparinga district that occur through human activity ecosystems. Compositional processes are being developed to sonify data that are repeatable and flexible capturing the machinery and soundscapes shaped by human land use in the region. Various approaches to the presentation of the aural phenomena that emerge from these complex ecosystems are also being developed.
My current research brings together archival recordings, scores, and artefacts to document a range of human processes. Ultimately, it aims to create a foundation for future research into anthropophonic sound and the discovery of new sonic relationships through interdisciplinary soundscape composition.
Previous research interests include practice-led investigations into the relationships between instrument, compositional frameworks and in situ performance. Strategies have included the placement of Sonic Creatures into landscapes via Geocaching and the use of portable electronic music systems (Introduced Species: Biodiversity in a Musical Ecosystem), as well as the creation of acoustic responses to historic photographs (Transient Sound: An acoustic response to photographs of 20th Century Port Noarlunga). In Re-sounding Ngangkiparri: Reverberations of Complex Biographies a series of sculptures accompanied soundscapes documenting the Onkaparinga Estuary, presented as a gallery installation.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 - 2026 | Doctor of Philosophy Research candidate | University of Adelaide |
| 2019 - 2020 | Director of Music | Victor Harbor High School |
| 2018 - 2018 | Director of Music | Mitcham Girls High School |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 - 2022 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Music in Sonic Arts (First Class Honours) |
| 2006 - 2008 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Music Studies |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - 2023 | Open Music | Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique Musique | France |
| 2023 - 2023 | Field Recording | Goldsmiths University of London | United Kingdom |
| 2009 - 2009 | Grad. Dip. Education | University of Adelaide | Australia |
| Date | Title | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Advanced Diploma of Music | Flinders St School of Music | Australia |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2004 | Cook, A. (2004). Der Schlaf (4 mins) [Performance] Adelaide Fringe (No. Of Pieces: 4 mins) [Performance]. Adelaide Fringe. |
| 2003 | Cook, A. (2003). Emanations (12 min) [Performance] Adelaide Fringe (No. Of Pieces: 12 mins) [Performance]. Adelaide Fringe. |
| 2002 | Cook, A. (2002). Form and Influx (10min) [Performance] Red Door Series, Adelaide. (No. Of Pieces: 10 mins) [Performance]. Red Door Series, Adelaide. |
| 2001 | Cook, A. (2001). Piano and String Quartet (12mins) [Performance] SoundCloud (No. Of Pieces: 12 mins) [Performance]. Little Theatre, University of Adelaide. |
| 2001 | Cook, A. (2001). Octave Displacements: 2nds and 7ths. (12 mins) [Performance] Old Strings New Works, Little Theatre. (No. Of Pieces: 12 mins) [Performance]. Little Theatre, University of Adelaide. |
| 2001 | Cook, A. (2001). Bitters Neat. (10 mins) [Performance] Red Door Series, Adelaide. (No. Of Pieces: 10 mins) [Performance]. Red Door Series, Adelaide. |
| 1999 | Cook, A. (1999). Three Piano Pieces (5mins) [Performance] SoundCloud (No. Of Pieces: 5 min) [Performance]. Little Theatre, University of Adelaide. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Authors: Cook A. Title: Transient Sound: An Acoustic Response to Photographs of 20th Century Port Noarlunga. Description: 3 x 2-sided postcards of ‘now and then’ photographs in an envelope containing links to sound files in SoundCloud.. Extent: A5 postcards in envelope and link. |
| 2014 | Authors: Cook A. Title: (2011). Works. Description: Folio of Works in book form.. Extent: A4 and A5. |
| 2009 | Authors: Cook A. Title: (2008). Works. Description: Folio of Works in book form.. Extent: A4 and A5. |
| 2007 | Authors: Cook A. Title: (2007). Works. Description: Folio of Works in book form.. Extent: A4 and A5. |
| 2004 | Authors: Cook A, Brooks D. Title: Multiplicity [CD]. Extent: 2 x 50 min. |
| 2004 | Authors: Cook A, Brooks D. Title: Multiplicity [CD]. Extent: 2 x 50 min. |
| 2001 | Authors: Cook A, Barnacle A. Title: Old Strings, New Works [CD]. Extent: 50 mins. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Authors: Cook A. Title: Transitions: points and people – Cities and Memory – Global Sound Map. Extent: 18 mins. |
| 2023 | Authors: Cook A. Title: Transitions: points and people – Cities and Memory – Global Sound Map. Extent: 18 mins. |
| 2023 | Authors: Cook A. Title: My Robot Puts Me to Sleep – Cities and Memory – Global Sound Map. Extent: 11 mins. |
| 2023 | Authors: Cook A. Title: My Robot Puts Me to Sleep – Cities and Memory – Global Sound Map. Extent: 11 mins. |
| 2021 | Authors: Cook A. Title: 10 Electronic Works – (AC Electronik) SoundCloud.. Extent: 10 Electronic Works. |
| 2021 | Authors: Cook A. Title: 6 Electro-acoustic Works – (AC Sonik) SoundCloud.. Extent: 6 Electro-acoustic works. |
| 2020 | Authors: Cook A. Title: 18 Acoustic Recordings and Renderings – (AC Acoustic) SoundCloud. Extent: 18 Acoustic Recordings. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Cook, A. (2023). Resounding Ngangkiparri: Reverberations of Complex Biographies. Gallery sound and sculpture Installation supported through funding by the Onkaparinga City council and the Saurbier House Artistic Residency programme. (No. Of Pieces: 12 Installation over a 3 month period) [Exhibition]. 2023. |
| 2023 | Cook, A., & Fernandez, E. (2023). Perfect Imperfections. Site installation in a 19th century building. Electronics and Slide projection. (No. Of Pieces: Looped electronics and slide projection) [Exhibition]. 2023. |
| 2023 | Cook, A. (2023). Fidget. Installation as part of Fleurieu Art Festival. Artefact and Soundscape. (No. Of Pieces: Looped artefact and sound installation) [Exhibition]. 2023. |
| 2022 | Cook, A. (2022). Introduced Species: Biodiversity in a Musical Ecosystem. Description: Cards deposited in Geocaches distributed in Onkaparinga Estuary (SA) containing links to SoundCloud account. To be played in situ. (No. Of Pieces: 9 Geocache sites) [Exhibition]. 2022. |
Onkaparinga City Council - Sauerbier House Artistic Residency
| Date | Title | Engagement Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - ongoing | 2024 Field Recording site visits | Scientific Community Engagement | Various | - |
| 2023 - ongoing | 2023 Field Recording site visits | Scientific Community Engagement | Various | - |
| 2022 - ongoing | 2022 Field Recordings Site Visits | Public Community Engagement | Various | - |
| 2021 - ongoing | 2021 Field Recordings Site Visits | Public Community Engagement | Various | - |
Connect With Me
External Profiles
