11 Facts About Alvin Lucier

Much of Alvin Lucier's work explores psychoacoustic phenomena and the physical properties of sound.

Alvin Lucier was educated in Nashua public and parochial schools; the Portsmouth Abbey School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island; Yale University; and Brandeis University.

In 1958 and 1959, Alvin Lucier studied under Lukas Foss and Aaron Copland at the Tanglewood Center.

Alvin Lucier returned from Rome in 1962 to take up a position at Brandeis as director of the University Chamber Chorus, which presented classical vocal works alongside modern compositions and new commissions.

At a 1963 Chamber Chorus concert at New York's Town Hall, Alvin Lucier met Gordon Mumma and Robert Ashley, experimental composers who were directors of the ONCE Festival.

In 1970, Alvin Lucier left Brandeis for Wesleyan University, where he would remain until his retirement.

In 1972, Alvin Lucier became a musical director of the Viola Farber Dance Company, a position he held until 1979.

Alvin Lucier was married to his first wife, Mary, until their divorce in 1972.

Alvin Lucier then married Wendy Stokes; they had one daughter and remained together until his death.

Alvin Lucier died at his home in Middletown, Connecticut, on December 1,2021, at age 90, from complications of a fall.

Alvin Lucier was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the University of Plymouth in 2007.