UCSD professor of music George Lewis received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship on Sept. 25.
The MacArthur Fellowship, awarded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, provides the recipient with a $500,000 “”no strings attached”” grant that may be freely used. The purpose of the MacArthur Fellowship is to invest in the person’s insight and potential, as well as to foster their creativity for the benefit of society.
Since its creation in 1981, 635 fellows have been named for the so-called “”genius award.”” The professor, an improvisational trombonist and composer, is one of 24 winners this year whose creativity and originality is honored by the organization.
“”For the longest time, the question was not if George Lewis would receive this award, but when he would receive it,”” said Department of Music Chair John W. Fonville at a press conference for Lewis on Sept. 30. “”The music department is extremely thrilled that George has won.””
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Lewis, who joined the UCSD faculty in 1991, co-founded the department of music’s critical studies/experimental practices program in 1996. The program emphasizes and explores experimental music and examines musical ideals and their effects on human societies.
“”Lewis’ work as an artist and scholar, both in academia and the artistic world beyond the walls, is extraordinary,”” Fonville said. “”It richly merits the recognition and prestige of the MacArthur Fellowship.””
For Lewis, the fellowship represents the culmination of over three decades of work devoted to the exploration of new music and creative improvisation as an interdisciplinary field.
“”I think that for me, this has been amazing,”” Lewis said. “”This award is a vindication of what we’ve done, and it will give recognition and awareness to our musical community.””
Lewis’ career expands into performance, where he has documented over 120 recordings. He has mastered the various qualities of the trombone and his compositions cross over traditional boundary lines of music.
As a pioneer in the application of computers, music and improvisation, Lewis created Voyager, a computer music program that uses algorithms and live musicians to improvise notes on a piano.
For his award plans, Lewis hopes to use his prize money to further his work as a musician and teacher of experimental music, including the development of larger projects with interactive computer media.
“”I’m not quitting my job,”” Lewis said, “”but I’d like to take some time off to finish my book on the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, one of the most influential experimental music movements of the past quarter-century.””
He also hopes the award will give greater visibility to the critical studies/experimental practices program at UCSD.
“”This award will help us develop our form of creativity here,”” Lewis said. “”It’s all about UCSD as a window to the world for our form of music.””
