While studying at Mills College, Shelton developed compositions that focused on the technique of phrase modification, wherein written phrases played by orchestral instruments are recorded in real time and rearranged via custom built patches in MAX/MSP. He continues to write electroacoustic music focused on these concepts. The following selected works all utilize different aspects of phrase modification:

Some of Shelton's solo electroacoustic music can be found here: Settled.

Opened and Moved (2005) is for solo cello with electronics. It begins with a series of double stops that incorporate open strings in standard tuning. This material is then fragmented and reassembled via live sampling and processing to create new phrases. These newly created phrases serve to develop the original material and guide the piece into a new section where the cello imitates the electronics.

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November (2006) is for two clarinets, bass clarinet, piano and electronics. This composition is based on an opening melodic theme that is stated by the acoustic instruments. The remainder of the piece develops this material, with phrase rearrangement accomplished by both the instrumentalists and electronic processes. As the composition develops, the focus shifts from phrases to tones, with a wall of sound being created by the full ensemble and the electronics.

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Static Active was written in the summer of 2009 for clarinet, double bass, percussion and electronics. The composition is comprised of a structure of six sections that explore specific concepts of improvisation: impulses, wind and tone. Each of these are then interpreted in active and static forms. Throughout the piece, the acoustic instruments are sampled and the material is rearranged in various ways depending on the section. The interaction between the musicians and the electronic processes are a highlight of this work.

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