Composer’s Note:

Pulse Music, for soprano, flute, and violin, was written for student performers from the University of Illinois Contemporary Music Ensemble. The three parts are equal in importance, and the soprano part is set to syllables derived from the title or other phonetic sounds and effects. The pulse is always present, but not always regular. It weaves its way forward with stops and starts, changing its pace along the way.

For performance, the soprano should use the score, and parts are provided for flute and violin. The 2026 edition of Pulse Music is dedicated to Fred Lau, ethnomusicologist, flutist, and performer in the premiere of Pulse Music on March 28th, 1984, in Urbana, Illinois.