Demonstration
Inspecting the horns
Jam #1
The girls
Jam #2
Close up #1
Blowing!
Monday 15 September 2008
Tuesday 2 September 2008
upcoming Workshop
SOUND with guests Michael Kieran Harvey and Kanako Okamoto
Tuesday 23rd September 12:00 - 1:30 in Room 113 VCA
First reading and discussion of new work for trombone, electric bass, and piano.
Charles MacInnes (trombone)
Jeremy Aslop (electric bass)
Michael Kieran Harvey (piano)
Kanako Okamoto (composer)
SOUND was formed in 2006 by Charles MacInnes (trombone) and Jeremy Alsop (electric bass guitar). We created the group as a vehicle for our own compositions, spontaneous playing, and explorations into, well, sound! The group recently received an Australia Council grant for the composition of a new work. Having performed in galleries and as guests at several universities we are now embarking on a series of collaborations with other musicians, visual artists, and writers.
On the 23rd we are presenting an open rehearsal with Japanese composer Kanako Okamoto, who has written a work for Michael, Jeremy, and myself.
We envisage this to be a valuable workshop experience for advanced student musicians and composers in their search for creating a new ensemble aesthetic that puts interaction and sound at the forefront.
I would be delighted if you could pop in for some or all of this event, or indeed if you have any students who may be interested in hearing and talking to these musicians, please encourage them to attend.
*
Monday 1 September 2008
The White Nile
A Sudanese woman, Ajak Kwai, descendent of the Dinka Bor people from the south, graced the Mother of God Primary School in Ardeer with her presence courtesy of The Song Room. A singer and storyteller, she danced, laughed, lectured, drummed and sang the children far away, to a place where Kororoit Creek flows into the White Nile.
Some Sudanese mothers timidly watched as their children joined the chanting with pride (and giggles). Ajak explained to me in the staff room that many Sudanese women in Australia know nothing or very little about the music sung by their people or their culture in general, having sometimes spent twenty years or more in refugee camps in Kenya and other neighbouring countries of Sudan. That the rhythms Ajak teaches us can drum the Sudanese children back to their roots, or at least forget about Ardeer for a fraction of a second, makes today's performance a lesson in time travel. With great authority, wit and musicality, Ajak shared not only her skills, but something about what it means to settle and resettle, to lose and gain ground, with Mother of God Primary School Children who are all searching for ways to express similar sentiments. When it is time to leave and we have said our thanks to Ajak, Ardeer looks less dry and Sunshine a little brighter.
[links to some material recorded today are to follow]
Some Sudanese mothers timidly watched as their children joined the chanting with pride (and giggles). Ajak explained to me in the staff room that many Sudanese women in Australia know nothing or very little about the music sung by their people or their culture in general, having sometimes spent twenty years or more in refugee camps in Kenya and other neighbouring countries of Sudan. That the rhythms Ajak teaches us can drum the Sudanese children back to their roots, or at least forget about Ardeer for a fraction of a second, makes today's performance a lesson in time travel. With great authority, wit and musicality, Ajak shared not only her skills, but something about what it means to settle and resettle, to lose and gain ground, with Mother of God Primary School Children who are all searching for ways to express similar sentiments. When it is time to leave and we have said our thanks to Ajak, Ardeer looks less dry and Sunshine a little brighter.
[links to some material recorded today are to follow]
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