Study for Operatic Aria - 12.08.25

My daughter's quote...






























"Angels talking through your music....."

I hope you will enjoy listening......

Thank you for your time here....

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.

Thank you for visiting and listening. I appreciate your comments and messages. Please feel free to say hello! - Steve
General life - info / bio - - -
I began my musical education with listening as an infant and at the age of 7, in 1958, composed my first piece of music which was a brass quartet.

Early influences were guided by the musical taste of my Mother which was often Tchaikovsky and other romantic composers, with an occasional diversion to Big Band and pop music of the late 40's and early 50's.

The Boys Club Band, Grade School Choir and High School Band were a great education in basic orchestration and harmony and in the mid 60's, and self taught as a guitarist, I began live performance, which lasted until 1999.

Music and technology have always been my main interests and as those two elements continued to merge through the late 90's to the present, they have led me to the point where I now can successfully realize my earliest childhood dreams of musical expression in composing for full orchestra.

Special thanks to Mom for the great listening experience, brother Greg for the continued guidance in music from a formal perspective, and brother Lew for the technological expertise.

Study for Operatic Aria - 12.08.25

Paul Maurice Roche | Composer