Waking Up Into the Moment

In this paper I hope to define, quantify, and analyze the way in which a listener perceives and understands the passage of time during a musical experience—in other words, their temporal awareness. I explore this concept in three capacities. First, I examine the relevant theory, both philosophical and psychological, surrounding temporal awareness and define its two primary manifestations through demonstrative musical examples. Next, I apply this theory to the analysis of six different pieces of music composed between 1895 and 2016, focusing on what I believe are the two strongest catalysts of change of temporal awareness. Finally, I discuss how I incorporate this theory into my practice both as an instructor and as a composer. A thorough musical analysis of my 2018 work be created or is presented through the analytical and compositional lens of temporal awareness, including its descriptive and prescriptive implications.