Speak Percussion’s Artistic Associate Matthias Schack-Arnott presents a free artist talk exploring the integration of technology and percussion in his current works. Topics will range from kinetics to Max/MSP programming and audio-visual systems, with particular focus on a new work that Matthias is currently developing, Field Sever Points. Matthias will be joined for this talk by beloved Melbourne broadcaster Owen McKern (PBS 106.7FM) and new media artist Nick Roux.Artist Talk: Matthias Schack-Arnott in Conversation
March 2, 6-7pm
Lucy Guerin Inc Studios, West Melbourne
Atlas of the Sky is a new work of dramatic and ritualistic power by Liza Lim – acclaimed composer and winner of the 2018 Australia Council Don Banks Music Award. The work is scored for solo soprano and three percussion soloists juxtaposed against the driving rhythms, swarming percussion and vocal sounds from a crowd of performers. Atlas of the Sky tells stories about the stars, the power of crowds, and changing constellations of memory. In the 2018 School Holiday Intensive, Sounds Unheard Members will take part in rehearsals and creative development ahead of the June 18 world premiere performance of Atlas of the Sky (see: Sounds Unheard 2018 Artist Program). The crowd will be an on-stage presence for the majority of the hour-long work, performing on small percussion instruments and singing/reciting. During the Intensive, students will be coached by Liza Lim, Speak Percussion and movement director Jo Lloyd. Artist Program: Alice Miller Artists Week Sounds Unheard will present an exclusive Artist Program for Alice Miller School’s Artists Week. Over five days the Alice Miller students will explore the roles of performer, composer, producer and director as they prepare an existing contemporary work and collaboratively develop a new work for performance at the conclusion of the week. School Holiday Intensive: Bell Curve In July, Speak Percussion will present a new version of Bell Curve composed by Speak Percussion’s Artistic Director Eugene Ughetti, involving a sophisticated sonic choreography for Victoria’s Federation Hand Bells redesigned for the unique layout of the Grainger Museum. Twelve independent bell players are installed across a large performance space and are controlled by networked wireless click tracks in a mesmerising performance. Audiences are interspersed amongst the performers experiencing both the intimacy and complex exchange of rhythmic and spatial structures. Sounds Unheard Members will be invited to take part in this new performance, featured in the Grainger’s 2019 Exhibition Program. For further information and the full schedule, please download the Bell Curve Flyer. To apply please fill out the online form here. Backstage Pass: Before Nightfall Before Nightfall is a series of new artistic encounters between Speak Percussion and invited guest artists. Each guest artist works with Speak artists intensively across one day, experimenting with a range of musical concepts. In the evening, these investigations culminate in an intimate live performance. The tenth instalment of the Before Nightfall series features American percussionist Robyn Schulkowsky and is inspired by a collection of twentieth-century graphic scores. Born and raised in South Dakota, Robyn has been an innovator and collaborator throughout her life. She has dedicated herself to revealing the wonders of percussion to people around the world. Her continuous exploration of new sound dimensions has led to the development of new and unusual musical instruments. Students are invited to attend this open rehearsal to see how this Before Nightfall process unfolds, learning about graphic notation, collaboration, composition, and creative decision making. Artist Program: Bell Curve In October, select Sounds Unheard participants will join a team of leading tertiary percussionists to present Bell Curve at the Grainger Museum. Twelve independent bell players are installed across a large performance space and are controlled by networked wireless click tracks in a mesmerising performance. Audiences are interspersed amongst the performers experiencing both the intimacy and complex exchange of rhythmic and spatial structures. Sounds Unheard Members will be invited to take part in this new performance, featured in the Grainger’s 2019 Exhibition Program. Participation in this event will be by invitation only. Backstage Pass: Before Nightfall Before Nightfall is a series of new artistic encounters between Speak Percussion and invited guest artists. Each guest artist works with Speak artists intensively across one day, experimenting with a range of musical concepts. In the evening, these investigations culminate in an intimate live performance. The tenth instalment of the Before Nightfall series features Sydney-based soprano Jane Sheldon. The gallery will be open from 12-5pm, allowing students to observe the artists experimenting, rehearsing and recording together alongside the artwork in the gallery. Evening performances will be held at 8.30pm. This open development and rehearsal will allow students to see how this Before Nightfall process unfolds, learning about collaboration, composition, and creative decision making. Artist Internship: Album Recording Internship Over three sessions in December, two Victorian secondary students will join percussionist Eugene Ughetti (Artistic Director, Speak Percussion) and sound engineer Michael Hewes to learn about the recording process. Ughetti and Hewes will be recording works by three of Australia’s most innovative composers (Thomas Meadowcroft, James Rushford and Alexander Garsden) alongside excerpts from three of Speak Percussion’s most original projects: Transducer, Assembly Operation and Polar Force. These works will be featured on Ughetti’s upcoming debut album, to be released in 2020. Students will be invited into the Run Stop Sound recording studio, where they will have the opportunity to learn about score preparation, microphone set up and placement, mixing, mastering and more. This internship is ideal for students interested in pursuing a career in sound engineering, composition and/or musical performance. For further information and the full schedule, please download the Album Recording Project Internship Flyer. To apply please fill out the online form here. Online Masterclasses Access international artists, professional experts and a wealth of musical knowledge from your home, school or practice room. These online sessions are presented by some of the world’s most exciting musicians, on topics including performance preparation, approaches to composition, extended techniques and more. Sounds Unheard Experts presenting masterclasses in 2019 include: composer, arranger and performer Thomas Meadowcroft (DE/AU), flautist, collaborative artist and cultural activist Claire Chase (US), and percussionist and composer Robyn Schulkowsky (US/DE).School Holiday Intensive: Atlas of the Sky
April 10-14, 10am-4pm or 2-9:30pm daily
Arts House, North Melbourne
April 29 – May 3
Alice Miller School
July 1-5
Grainger Museum
Applications for the Bell Curve Performance Program must be received by midnight Tuesday June 25. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and applying early to avoid disappointment is encouraged.
July 28, 2-5pm
Melbourne CBD
September 30 – October 3
Grainger Museum
November 22, 12-5pm
Trocadero Art Space
December 9, 13 & 17
Run Stop Sound
Applications for the Album Recording Internship must be received by 5pm Friday November 29, 2019. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application on Monday December 2.
www.soundsunheard.com/masterclasses/
