University's famous 'organ' features in new book

The success of one of the world's most impressive sound synthesis systems, designed and developed at the University, features in a unique book on music in Yorkshire.

The book, entitled, 'Music Making in the West Riding of Yorkshire', is the brainchild of Richard Wood (Managing Director of J.Wood and Sons in Bradford, and an Honorary Graduate of the University)and is edited by Adrian Smith.

Lucy and Peter Comerford,at the Department of Computing,with the book

It is, they claim, the first comprehensive exploration on the subject in decades and catalogues a diverse range of music from Choral Music and Organ Builders.

At the University, one of the most traditional instruments, the organ, is wedded to the latest computer technology in an innovative musical creation - the Bradford Computer Organ. The work has been commercially successful with a number of companies using the 'Bradford system' to make instruments in different styles for sale across the globe.

Around 2,500 'organs' have been installed to date. Research is undertaken in the Microcomputer Research Unit, which is part of the Department of Computing and Mathematics.

The book highlights its contracts to provide sound specification for commercial organs to provide funds for further research.

The chapter also covers courses in Electronic Imaging and Media Communications, with its work in musical sound synthesises, as well as discussing the work of the University's Fellow in Music and the Tasmin Little Music Centre.

Copies of the hardback book, which cost £14.99, are available from Woods Music, 38 Manningham Lane, Bradford.

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