Tim Corpus
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Moving On – Journey to a new studio

So I’ve lived in quite a few different places over the years. And throughout that time, from roommates, to being married, to living alone, my composing studio has always had to fit into my life and my apartment. I’m certainly not alone in this, I assume this is the common situation for most of us composers.

We find a space to work in within the context of our lives.

So two years ago I moved to a nice high-rise with a beautiful view of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan. It was truly a remarkable place to be “stuck” in during the Covid-19 lockdowns. On the warm days of the lockdown I was on my balcony playing on a drumpad, strumming a guitar, or simply just working from a laptop. In a time of isolation, this space was my little oasis with a breeze.

After being laid off when the professional symphony orchestra I was running closed around Covid, the world was going in to lockdown due to the pandemic. It was at that point that I decided to be fully invested in a studio and my work as a composer and sound designer.

I set up this nice little corner with my synth and keyboard and step-by-step built out the studio environment that I needed (wanted) to work in. Again, I set up the studio in the space I could, not the other way around.

My background is from the classical music world, so I am used to composing with a pen and paper and then transferring that into Finale or a DAW. In this apartment I had built out the studio part of my setup more, while I had a writing desk in the bedroom – there wasn’t enough space in the…well let’s just call it a dining room area.

Now, two years later, this apartment is jam packed with furniture, studio gear, instruments, and a corporate printer for all that sheet music I produce. Now it’s time to upsize.

For the past decade I’ve worked in a “side-space”, my home studio sharing space with another room. From arranging music for performance at the Bolshoi Theatre, to composing music that would be performed abroad and at Carnegie Hall, to recording and producing my album MMXX, all of this was done in a small space.

It’s really easy to want to jump ahead to the Hans Zimmer style studio with all the fixins’ one could ever desire. However, in reality, we gotta walk before we can run. You can spend all your money on new gear and fancy stuff, but if you’re not churning out the work (or even getting the work), it’s kind of a waste.

I love the concept that limitation breeds creativity

Work with what you have and once you can’t get what you need out of what you have, upgrade. Don’t do it the other way around.

I’ve reached the point where an upgrade is necessary. I’m physically out of space and it’s inhibiting my workflow. I have to break down recording setups every day because there isn’t space. I have to unplug and move the printer each time it’s used. Then there are plenty of little things that bother me about this space, but overall it’s just time for a change.

I’m now heading to a whole new neighborhood of Chicago to a beautiful – and much larger – condo with a whole room just for my studio. I can’t tell you how stoked I am for this.

New Space!

acoustic treatment (pink)

printer (yellow)

desks (blue)

instruments, speakers, mixers (green)

This new space is in the process of being cleaned up, but will be great when it’s put together. I have a whole slew of new DIY acoustic projects that will help make this space work for me and recording. It’s not going to be perfect, but it’s certainly an upgrade.

  • 10′ x 13′ room with wood flooring and windows not next to a train.
  • I’m adding in additional soundproofing to the flooring
  • My new rug arrive today which will go on top of the soundproofing in the flooring.
  • I’m building some new acoustic panels as well as a diffuser for one of the larger walls.

In this new space I’ll finally be able to fit all the gear in one room and be able to easily flow from recording to mixing to composing. This is perfect for the upcoming set of dance pieces, multiple short films, new song collaborations, and new orchestral commissions that are on deck for 2022. More about all that later 😉.

It’s been quite the journey and now it will continue with a dedicated studio room. And even though I’m excited about this new space, it’s not perfect. There is still going to be space for growth, but that’s just the next step.

I remember when I felt stuck in life and work and when I felt like I would never get to this point. Though it may not have all happened on the timetable that I had imagined, it’s all working in a way that is natural growth. It’s a small step in the grand scheme of things, but life is made up of a lot of small steps.

Tim Corpus is a composer with a genuine lyric impulse. He writes music that is at the same time challenging and appealing - which should be the ideal of any composer. He has a wonderful ear for sound and for shape. This is a composer with a real and important voice.

Henry Fogel Retired Dean of the Chicago College of Performing Arts and CEO/President of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

...`{`Three Pieces for Five Timpani`}` is an outstanding addition to the literature for timpani and great for advanced recital programs.

George Frock Professor Emeritus, The University of Texas

Tim Corpus is a wonderfully skilled composer who has important things to say with his music. His debut album, Breath, is extremely impressive. Beautiful and exciting music to be sure!

Larry Alan Smith Composer

Tim Corpus' music is complex, original and steeped in tradition. His Three Pieces for Five Timpani is clearly an extension of the composers, such as Elliott Carter, that came before him. The pieces are challenging but fulfilling to learn and perform. Possibly the most important thing about Tim's timpani writing is that audiences will enjoy listening to his compositions. He is taking solo timpani writing to the next level.

Ed Harrison Timpanist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago

The melodic gestures in Tim Corpus' masterful piece for strings, ``Breath``, are paced so that a listener’s respiration pattern aligns itself instinctively with the slow and even pulse of the piece. Breath creates a powerful performer/listener symbiosis, a remarkable accomplishment on the part of the composer.

Steven Gryc Composer

Tim Corpus’s music is beautifully lyrical, nicely voiced and technically well-realized. In person, he is a pleasure to work with. We very much enjoyed recording his first two string quartets and hope to see more from him in the future.

Jen Leckie Violinist, Grant Street String Quartet

I recently had the pleasure of conducting the premiere of First Flight. It is artfully written, fresh, unique, and best of all – a beautiful piece of music! Tim is a major talent with big things in store for his future. It clearly deserves a permanent place in the repertoire of any serious wind ensemble. I can't wait to program it again!

Stephen Squires Conductor, Chicago College of Performing Arts Wind Ensemble

I have worked with Tim Corpus as a performer, composer and teacher. He brings passion and energy to his craft. He is a young lion who is making his mark on the Chicago music scene.

Kevin Miller Retired Band Director, Schaumburg High School

I've had the pleasure of knowing Tim for years now, and I learned very quickly that his passion and talent as a performer and composer are unquestioned. Everything he does is handled with a rare combination of intensity and care, and his works display such attributes. His lyricism in particular, along with his rich, beautiful harmonies and intricate polyphony set him apart from many of his colleagues. In a world littered with simple, non-intellectual music, Tim is breaking through and creating a new, exciting, accessible, and, most importantly, intelligent style of music that is imperative to the future of our art form.

Matt Bronstein Axiom Brass Quintet

Breath is very professionally produced, and the overall impression is of a lyrical and rhapsodic voice. I think Breath is a great starter, very ample and serene, even ecstatic. The second quartet is lively and engaging throughout.

Dr. Robert Carl Composer
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