"Batting Time Away" : Experiences of Time and Timelessness in Ensemble Electroacoustic Improvisation

This research project investigates the experiences of time and timelessness in musicians performing in freely improvised, electroacoustic music contexts over telematic connection. For this project, 7 trio ensembles were organized, recruiting free-improvisers with experience in electroacoustic performance, primarily from within the free-improvisation community in Toronto, Canada, as well as other international locations. Each ensemble was asked to convene through the online meeting portal Zoom to perform in 30-40 minute improvisation sets without any intervention. 4 ensembles were asked to perform in a semi-structured format of improvisation involving players initially taking turns performing solos/duets before completing the remainder of the set as a trio, while 3 ensembles were asked to perform in a more unstructured format together as a trio for the duration of the improvisation. After each performance, ensemble members participated in an open-discussion-style interview where each was asked to comment on their experiences of the flow of time, their sense of timelessness throughout performance, and what they believe to be the possible factors that influence these experiences. The purpose of this research project is to outline certain trends found in the experience of the flow of time, or the sense of timelessness, in performers of ensemble electroacoustic improvisation (EAI), performing under certain structural constraints, and whether these trends are similar or fundamentally different than such experiences while listening to electroacoustic music recordings. The results will show that, although the act of deep listening played a crucial role in participants’ performances, they were more or less consciously aware of other aspects of the live performance throughout the improvisation. These include points of awareness and attention, intentionality, engagement and emotional involvement, that contribute not only to sensations of time and timelessness in players, but also to players’ abilities to improvise successfully as a collective. This project aims to contribute to the growing research on electroacoustic music, performance studies, and perceived experiences of time/timelessness in contemporary electroacoustic music practices.