Amacher, Maryanne, 1938–2009, American avant-garde composer, b. Kane, Pa. She studied composition with Georg Rochberg at the Univ. of Pennsylvania (B.F.A., 1964), and privately with Karlheinz Stockhausen. Amacher held residencies at several universities, including Bard College (2000–2009). Working (1974–80) with the dancer Merce Cunningham, she composed music for Torse (1976) and other works. Amacher collaborated (1975–84) with the composer John Cage on numerous projects, including a storm sequence for his multimedia Lecture on the Weather (1975). Her other works include City-Links #1–#22 (begun 1967), Music for Sound-Joined Rooms (begun 1980), Mini-Sound Series (begun 1985), and Petra (1991). Many of her works were site-specific installations designed to produce psychoacoustic effects involving both psychological responses and physiological impact.
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