This one was written for the August 2023 Image challenge.  This is also a continuation of my previous composition for the January 2022 Image challenge. Hence, chapter 2 of “The Sleeping Forrest”.

沉睡の森林 第二本(A Sleeping Forrest Ch. 2) - Entry to Aug 2023 FB Composer Image Challenge)

There is a great community here. I really enjoy listening to your music. I'm also happy when someone listens to mine :)

Eric Schultheiss stands at the vanguard of contemporary composition, forging a unique path that bridges the rhythmic drive of global percussion with the infinite possibilities of digital sound. As a composer, percussionist, and educator, Schultheiss is acclaimed for his hybrid electro-acoustic works—pieces that fuse the organic pulse of drums with orchestral richness and the sonic innovation of modern electronics.

Rooted in a Southern California upbringing steeped in progressive rock, classical discipline, and the improvisational freedom of jazz, Schultheiss draws on a vast tapestry of influences. His music channels the off-kilter accents of Stewart Copeland, the lyrical intensity of Neil Peart, the storytelling depth of Peter Gabriel and Sting, and the progressive artistry of Genesis, Dream Theater, and Spock’s Beard. This synthesis results in compositions that are as intellectually rigorous as they are emotionally evocative.

Currently, as Head of Percussion Studies and Electro-Acoustic Composition at the Middle Tennessee Conservatory of Music, Schultheiss is an outspoken advocate for the DAW as a true instrument. In his hands, digital workstations become canvases for sonic experimentation, allowing for real-time orchestration, microscopic precision, and the layering of polyrhythms and timbres that would be impossible with traditional notation alone. He champions technology not as a shortcut, but as an authentic extension of the composer’s voice.

Signature works such as Lights Twinkle—a Christmas percussion-ensemble piece blending Japanese Taiko, harp, and haiku-inspired vocal textures—showcase his ability to unite tradition with innovation. Airidea’s Journal explores the dialogue between structure and freedom through dance-driven percussion and atmospheric synths, while As You Sleep and Terminal Memory reveal Schultheiss’ penchant for ambient soundscapes, introspective melodies, and cross-media collaborations. His compositions have been commissioned for film, dance, and multimedia productions, performed by leading ensembles, and praised for their intricate interplay of rhythm and resonance.

As an educator, Schultheiss is dedicated to shaping musicians who are not only technically skilled but also creatively fluent in both acoustic and digital modalities. At the Middle Tennessee Conservatory, he mentors young composers in hybrid techniques, polyrhythmic structures, and DAW-based workflows, encouraging them to embrace technology as a creative partner. His influence extends beyond the classroom, as he helps students gain visibility in the digital era and equips them to thrive in an evolving musical landscape.

Through his relentless curiosity, innovative spirit, and commitment to artistic growth, Eric Schultheiss is redefining what it means to be a composer in the 21st century. His work is a testament to the power of bridging tradition and technology, and to the limitless frontiers that await those willing to explore them.

A composer who does not know how to read & write note music, nor to play any musical instrument.  Thanks to modern technology though, I've found the midi tools & VST Instruments to transfer the music from my busy head to actual audible tunes.

hi all, i love music since i was young, i have discovered electronic music in 1978 with jean michel jarre equinoxe and oxygene, after that i have learned music theory during 5 years and have taken some piano lessons. My first synthetizer was the korg delta, and since this one, a lot of keyboard come in my studio, and some go out also. Now i try to make some trailler, i am passionate with the relation between picture, film and music. i follow the masterclass from hans zimmer. if you have any question don't hesitate it will be a great pleasure for me to answer. enjoy my music.

my cover and re-scored are on my youtube channel

沉睡の森林第二本(A Sleeping Forrest Ch. 2) - Entry to Aug 2023 FB Composer Image Challenge)

ALO | Composer

沉睡の森林 第二本(A Sleeping Forrest Ch. 2) - Entry to Aug 2023 FB Composer Image Challenge)

ALO | Composer

沉睡の森林第二本(A Sleeping Forrest Ch. 2) - Entry to Aug 2023 FB Composer Image Challenge)