Brent Milam

Foundation Studies: Theory and Composition

Brent Milam (b. 1969) is a Lecturer in Music Theory at Georgia State University School of Music, where he has transitioned from a visiting lecturer after more than a decade of teaching. Milam also co-founded the Terminus Ensemble of Contemporary Music and the SoundNow New Music Festival. His academic career spans over a wide range of disciplines, including classical and jazz theory, counterpoint, post-tonal analysis, orchestration, jazz and choral arranging, computer music, and aural skills. Milam has been a prominent figure in both the classroom and the professional music community, known for his palpable enthusiasm for teaching.

In addition to his teaching, Milam has composed original music for a variety of platforms, including concert performances, stage productions, independent films, art installations, jazz and popular music ensembles, and commercial recordings. His commissioned works have been performed nationally and have earned praise in periodicals and online reviews, with descriptions such as “outstanding,” “lovely,” and “hinting at deeper things.” His compositions often reflect his distinctive voice, blending jazz-influenced harmonies with complex rhythmic structures and pointillistic textures.

Milam’s research interests lie at the intersection of music and science, focusing on generalized pitch transformations, systematic sonority analysis, and the sonification of natural phenomena to create generative musical processes. His work has led to collaborations with professionals in physics, astronomy, and biomaterials, expanding the understanding of complex natural phenomena through music. This research has practical applications, including aiding in data analysis, assisting the visually impaired, and creating novel structural relationships for musical expression.

An active participant in the academic community, Milam has given residencies, masterclasses, and invited lectures at universities, professional conferences, and public institutions. He has also published articles on his research, served as an editor and reviewer for music and scientific publications, and contributed a chapter to the book Mathematical Music Theory on his generative processes. Milam’s pedagogical activities have included the development of an annual Mathematical Music Composition Workshop, which partners music and mathematics students for collaborative projects. These projects culminate in performances and presentations at the Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference.

Milam’s academic contributions also extend to his involvement in the International Conference on Mathematics and Computation in Music, where he presented in 2019 in Spain. He was invited to join the Scientific Program Committee of SMCM and will serve as co-organizer and host for the 8th Biennial International Conference on Mathematics and Computation in Music, scheduled for June 2022 at Georgia State University.