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Canadian composer jef chippewa is particularily interested in questions of cultural awareness and identity in regards to the composer’s responsibility in inheriting or appropriating cultural heritage. Understanding the impossibility of definitive articulation or comprehension of cultural identity does not justify conscious ignorance of any of its aspects. Nor does it excuse irresponsibility in cultural appropriation, and this applies equally to the appropriation of one’s “own” culture (cultural heritage) as to that of another culture or sub-culture (“external influences”).
His compositions have been performed in such concert series and festivals as EuCuE, Darmstadt, FUTURA and the ISCM World New Music Days by groups such as ensemble recherche and asamisimasa. His work can be heard on CD, notably on Cache 2000, a compilation of the top works in a competition organised by the Canadian Electroacoustic Community (CEC). He is currently working on a new composition commissioned by Trio Nexus.
Since 2005, he is the Administrative co-Director of the Canadian Electroacoustic Community, Canada’s national association for electroacoustic music.