For many years, composers have given synthesizers and samplers a place alongside guitars and drums, becoming staples of rock, pop, jazz, new age, dance music, television and film scores.  Electro-acoustic classical music is also coming of age.  Electronic classical music has spawned its own genre on many popular music sites.

   Ever since Switched On Bach, (Wendy Carlos' landmark 1968 recording of Bach classics performed on an early Moog synthesizer), electronic instruments have proven themselves capable of handling classical challenges.

Now, as computers compete with TVs for the family's attention, electronic instruments are much more familiar, especially to young people who have always been exposed to them. [ continues on next page]