After completing a BMus in Music (1996) at Goldsmiths College, University of London, Ambrose composed, produced, and performed electronic music, which was released through a number of independent record labels. During this period, sonic experimentations with field recording, hardware processing, and computer audio led him to discover the extensive possibilities of electroacoustic music. As a result, he pursued an MA in Electroacoustic Composition (2004) followed by a PhD in Music (electroacoustic composition, 2013) both at City, University of London, and both supervised by Denis Smalley.
Since 2002 he has focused primarily on acousmatic music composition, although he also creates interactive multichannel sound installations, collaborates on immersive audiovisual projects, and performs improvised live electronic music. He has twice been composer in residence at Elektronmusikstudion (EMS, Sweden, 2015, 2016).
Ambrose’s music is available through empreintes DIGITALes and has been awarded prizes in several international competitions such as:
- 2nd Prize in the international composition competition Klang! Électroacoustique, Montpellier, France (2019)
- 2nd Prize in XIº Destellos International Competition of Electroacoustic Music (2018)
- Finalist 10th Biennial Acousmatic Composition Competition Métamorphoses 2018, Belgium
- 1st Prize in the international composition competition Klang! Électroacoustique, Montpellier, France (2014)
- Special Mention 7th Biennial Acousmatic Composition Competition Métamorphoses 2012, Belgium
- Special Mention in the Foundation Destellos International Competition of Electroacoustic Composition and Visual-Music (2010)
- European Region Composition Prize at ICMC 2007 (International Computer Music Conference)
- 1st Prize in the Visiones Sonoras Electroacoustic Music Composition Competition, Mexico (2006)
- Pré-sélection in 33e Concours International de Musique et d’Art Sonore Electroacoustiques Bourges 2006
- Pré-sélection in 32e Concours International de Musique et d’Art Sonore Electroacoustiques Bourges 2005
With research interests in compositional structuring processes, form in electroacoustic music, and the analysis of electroacoustic music, Ambrose has presented at international conferences and festivals. His Doctoral research investigated recurrence in acousmatic music, investigating structuring processes within acousmatic music composition. This involved exploring how sound materials might relate to one another, and the temporal relationships existing amongst those sounds.
Ambrose is currently Principal Academic in Creative Technology, focusing on Music and Sound Production, at Bournemouth University, UK.
