La Barbara, Joan (1947– )

US composer and vocal performer. She was a vocalist with Steve Reich and Musicians 1971–74, and worked with Philip Glass 1973–76. Her performances involve novel techniques of sound production, rather than singing as such. She gave the first performances of works by John Cage, Morton Feldman, and her husband, Morton Subotnick.

She undertook vocal studies with Phyllis Curtin at Tanglewood and in New York, and studied composition at New York University.

Works Voices and instruments Hear What I Feel for amplified voice (1974), Space Testing for acoustic voice (1976), Chandra for amplified solo voice, men's voices, and chamber orchestra (1978), Winds of the Canyon for voice and tape (1982), The Solar Wind I-III for voice(s) and ensembles (1983–84), Loose Tongues for eight amplified solo voices and tape (1985), Urban Tropics, sound portrait (1988), Conversations for low voice (1988), In the Dreamtime, self-portrait sound collage (1990), Awakenings, for chamber ensemble (1991), Klangbild Köln/Sound Portrait of Cologne (1991).