Forrest Tobey

Forrest Tobey is a versatile musician based at Earlham College, where he serves as a professor of music and the director of the Earlham Orchestra. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Ramsey, New Jersey, Tobey has had an eclectic musical journey, influenced by his educational background in Washington, Colorado, Maryland, and significant years spent in India. His musical expertise spans both classical and jazz piano, and he composes in a variety of styles, including acoustic and electro-acoustic music. Tobey has released albums such as "Awakening" and "Dancing Down the Dawn," the latter being a collaboration with his band Off Chants that blends jazz, folk, and Indian classical music. His recent projects include a forthcoming album featuring chant-based works, in collaboration with Lynnell Lewis.

Forrest Tobey's musical interests also extend to computer music, focusing on interactive live performances using real-time controllers. His scholarly pursuits include exploring the relationship between music and mathematics, as well as gestural control interfaces. Additionally, Tobey has led Earlham’s Tibetan Studies program in India and contributes to various cultural and musical initiatives.

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