Part One: This document will thoroughly explore by way of analysis my most recent work, Blurred Gaze for string quartet, to be premiered on December 7, 2012 at Karl Geiringer Hall on the UC Santa Barbara campus by the Young Artists String Quartet. The work was composed specifically for this ensemble and for this dissertation, in order to specifically research the use of click tracks as a means to keep strict timings within a work for ensemble, without the presence of a conductor. Blurred Gaze is thoroughly analyzed from a theoretical and observational perspective throughout the document.

Part Two: A Portfolio of Compositions.

A portfolio of compositions, including scores of.

relief for violin and live electronics.

in medias res for piano and electronics.

Still Junction for piano and drum set.

Grand Canyon for bass clarinet, trombone, and piano.

Terrain for electric guitar, any number of sustaining instruments, and fixed media.

volut orund for flute.

Take Five to Nawakhat for organ four hands.

A compact disk including the click tracks for the following works:

Blurred Gaze .

Still Junction .

Take Five to Nawakhat.