Hidden Music

Music can be made from anything we find around us, from our names to our cells, from atoms to stars. Composer Milton Mermikides presents the fascinating origins and history of data sonification - the translation of information or pattern into sound and music - as well as a selection of his own compositions derived from blood cells, sleep cycles, viruses, war, paintings, exoplanetary moons, irrational numbers, traffic patterns, crystallisation and other ‘non-musical’ data. In addition, new works will be performed, composed specially for the event in collaboration with students from the Frank Mohr Institute. Discover how music can reveal the inherent patterns in the natural world, and give us both a theoretical and aesthetic appreciation of everything around us.

Milton Mermikides is a composer, guitarist and academic in a wide range of musical styles and has collaborated with artists as diverse as Pat Martino, John Williams, Tod Machover, Tim Minchin, The Swingle Singers, Steve Winwood and Brian Eno. Son of a CERN nuclear physicist and polyphile, he was raised with an enthusiasm for both the arts and sciences, an eclecticism which has been maintained throughout his teaching, research and creative career.  He is a Lecturer in Music at the University of Surrey, Professor of Jazz Guitar at the Royal College of Music, and has given presentations internationally. His music and work is performed at concert halls and institutions, and is featured in Film, TV, radio, journals and numerous podcasts. He has received numerous awards for his writing, education and charity work.