About the Artist

Forrest has composed music for a wide range of instruments including string orchestra, wind ensemble, string quartet and percussion, as well as electronic, found sound, and solo acoustic instruments.  He is available for commissions from both professional musicians and ensembles, as well as from high school orchestras and wind ensembles.

As an electronic musician, Forrest performs solo, with his ensemble Sonic Sandbox, and collaboratively with acoustic instrumentalists. His analog electronic instruments include modular synthesizers, shortwave radios, signal generators, filters, and processors. He has given electronic music performances around the globe.

Forrest has lectured on electronic music at many higher education institutions, and provides lectures on a range of topics, such as his Sarasa chamber Ensemble pre-concert lecture on the “Music of Luigi Boccherini.” In additon to lecturing, Forrest has book reviews published in Notes, Oral History Association Journal, and Music Reference Services Journal.

Conveying complex musical ideas in a bite-size easy to grasp way is what Forrest brings to each and every student.  Currently, his teaching activities are workshops on improvisation and chamber music, though for many years he has taught violin and viola privately.

Forrest’s love of violin and then on to  viola started at The Ohio State University where he studied with Michael D. Davis. As a violist he has played in the New England Philharmonic, Boston Chamber Ensemble, and other chamber groups. He has extensive chamber music experience, covering the standard repertoire, as well as modern and lesser known music.

How your musical skill is digitally archived matters. Forrest has years of experience recording composers and orchestras including the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra and composer Charles Shadle.