Simon Belshaw

In parallel to SWCTN’s Automation Fellowship programme Kaleider offered four Devon based individuals Research & Development bursaries. These bursaries were for new immersive ideas or experiences that utilise Creative Technology.

Each recipient received up to a £2,000 bursary, residence at Kaleider Studios for the duration of the R&D, and mentoring in idea development, producing, funding and creative technology to support the future of their ideas.

Simon Belshawstudied composition with Gavin Bryars and completed his PhD ‘Generative Systems and Disruptive Processes in Musical Composition‘ at the University of Hertfordshire in 2005. His work has been performed by various ensembles including the Schidloff Quartet, Gemini, PM Ensemble and Exeter Contemporary Sounds.

Recently he has concentrated on a project entitled Music Machines; the first 20 machines are computer programmes that explore a single idea. Some are simple, some more complex. All are generated by the computer within established parameters, all run continuously until stopped by the listener and all are different each time they are played. More recently Music Machines have been developed for either specific locations or live performance and have recently been heard on BBC Radio 3 as well as at the Sonoroties Festival and as part of 60×60 vox novus in New York.

Simon is also a director of 2.Times Do a community interest company that run workshops in coding and technology as well as a founder member of Earworms who promote music concerts for children.

You can read more about Simon’s Automation microgrant project, a music generating device for aiding study.