SoundArt

We presented a piece today at University using composer and performer indeterminacy.





Casey, Tom and I created the score, then interpreted it (freely and using instruments in unconventional ways). Although “easy” at first glance, there are a whole range of problems to be dealt with in coming up with “chance music”, not dissimilar to the problems encountered composing in general. Questions of structure, balance, interpretation, sound, communication, and hardest of all for (us square!) musicians - making the dramatic elements work.



We attracted a good little crowd of passers by, and the cleanup was assisted greatly by the rain. Our tutor was a bit concerned about my stipulating that the score may not be reused (i.e., any future performances must include the creation process all over again), but maybe one could open it up to an audience auction at the end. To cover the cost of materials, or donate to “cultural causes”.

Funkin' it!

• Maranatha Christian School (Endeavour Hills, Victoria) Year 7
Click here (or right click to save) to hear the work (mp3 file/3:02/2.8MB)


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Dream With A Train

Cool new groove from the MegaSoundOperators featuring artists from Bethal Primary School!!


Click here (or right click to save) to hear the work (mp3 file/2:40/2.5MB)




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Sound Operators #1 and #2

Note: these posts will be soon be migrated to a new blog dedicated to this material alone. New links, including detailed information about the project, photographs, as well as a greater capacity to interact and contribute will be made public very soon. Stay tuned!


We are a team of 5 musicians working for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's Education and Community Outreach Program.
Our aim is to encourage expression and creativity through music experimentation, listening, and recording.

Here are the results of the first two “MSO Pledge” school workshops:

• Maranatha Christian School (Endeavour Hills, Victoria) Year 9-11
Click here (or right click to save) to hear the work (mp3 file/5:03/4.7MB)

• Hillsmeade Primary School (Narre Warren South, Victoria) “Music Masters”
Click here (or right click to save) to hear the work (mp3 file/2:33/2.4MB)


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Ellingtonian

The closing credits music from the soundtrack (by Mark Isham) of Cool World (1992)
The drumming by Terry Bozzio is extraordinary.
I was lucky enough to play on this session (in Munich); the film might not have done so well but the music is excellent.

Sportsmanship

silence = violence

Went down to the playground near the beach yesterday and happened to see a bit of junior cricket (under-14s?) at the oval.

I saw two dismissals. The first boy came off the field and threw his bat 3 metres, swearing, and ripped his pads and helmet off. The second (soon after) smashed the stumps over with his bat, and did the same performance off the field. Nobody did or said anything - not the umpires, coaches, parents, nor team mates.

I never saw anything like it in 6 years of junior cricket playing.

Are these little fellows copying their professional counterparts? Or their parents? Why didn't anybody at least approach the second little batsman, as he sat alone for the following 20 minutes with his head in his hands?

The parents and coaches evidently think the violent displays are normal and need no comment. They do not have the skills to comfort or talk when it is most needed. I imagine them saying to one another:
- he'll be right
- let him work it out on his own
- he's a bit upset, leave him alone

Silence is the greatest form of violence - and these young people are not learning to express themselves; to communicate how they are feeling. These gatherings show what an aggressive society we are. You see the cowardice, the inability to communicate, the uncontrolled angry outburts, then the internalization of pain. The playing didn't exhibit any characteristics of togetherness, teamwork, mentorship, or respect that are so often espoused as being benefits of sport.

Internet matters

This isn't directly related to the "noise, sound, music" debate, but is worth passing on.

I recently changed internet providers, because despite not changing browsing habits, my uploads (which are metered with Telstra) started sky-rocketing. In a day of normal internet use, we were racking up 300 - 500MB of uploads! Doing nothing much except checking/sending email, and the odd youtube clip. No file sharing.

I completely overhauled security - modem and wireless and account and computer (including scans for malicious cookies). No discernible difference.

Moved to Internode - excellent company / highly recommended.
Filled in the online fast transfer on 30th December; got an SMS from Internode at 6pm on the 31st saying it was all ready to go.

Our suburb still has an old steam-driven telephone exchange (pre-war copper wires?), so I'm not able to take advantage of the speed of ADSL2+ Extreme, but the standard plan (here's a list) is behaving very well. They don't count uploads in the monthly quota, but the usage monitor still shows them if you're interested. The levels have returned to normal.

By the way, Whirlpool is an extremely good source of information on all things internet related: modem security, plan choice, and much more.


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Noise

Here's a quote from a wonderful book I'm reading at the moment The Rest Is Noise by Alex Ross.

Schoenberg (around the time of his early atonal works) in a letter to Alma Mahler:

listen for "colours, noises, lights, sounds, movements, glances, gestures".




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