Thinking about, what does our neighbourhood need most?
AEROSPACE YOUTH BAND
Do we need to start an Aerospace Youth Band around the Amberley, Willowbank, Purga, Ripley side of Ipswich to play Star Wars and experimental music? Please contact us with your thoughts and ideas about that.
MUSICAL MOTOR SPORTS?
Or instead of a band, could we have about 1,000 instruments around the Willowbank speedway that can be played by passing traffic - as shown in this OK Go You Tube video, made in partnership with Chevrolet.
Thanks to Alex for suggesting that link. I like it! It's quite a geeky way to play music - don't you think?
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MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
Inspired by these renditions of the "Imperial March," I now want to learn to play all the Star Wars themes on recorder. Fortunately, the Music Room has 7 tunes from the Star Wars trilogy available in one book for only $9.
"Written for easy recorder, this book features big, easy-to-read notes, a beginner's guide to playing the recorder, and a clear, simple introduction to reading music."
For special percussion effects, I have discovered that ALDI stores have the Livingstone Electronic Drum Kit (Model #DD305) selling for $99.95. Features include: 7 drum pads with touch sensitivity, tempo +/- and reverb, 215 percussion voices including cosmic sounds, 3 digit LED screen with 100 preset songs and 1 demo song, 2 pedals including bass drum and hi-hat, USB port (MIDI in/out), record and playback feature. Also includes drum sticks and bag, drum stand, headphones, power adaptor, and instruction booklet.
Tip: if wearing headphones, the volume needs to be set at a suitable level so as not to cause hearing damage from loudness. The default setting is maximum volume. Some adult instruction may be required for children.
The drum part goes something like this, or this YouTube video. There are lots of recorder versions of the "Star Wars theme" online, and even a webpage describing how to play the tune on recorder. Music teachers can help.
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Another colossal version of John William's Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) from Star Wars Triology -- Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back movie - which originally premiered on 29 April, 1980. In the movie it is heard performed by symphony orchestra.
In this YouTube video, the "Imperial March," arranged by J. Nykänen for 2 pianos, is performed by Jukka Nykänen & Marko Hilpo, Mänttä, Finland June 26, 2009. The spectacular piano duet captures much of the regal symphonic atmosphere and tension as the drama unfolds. |
 FORTHCOMING AVIATION & SPACE MEDICINE INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS
Melbourne, Australia
16-20 SEPT, 2012 |
WE ARE GETTING AN AEROSPACE HUB IN MY NEIGHBOURHOOD!!!
25 Jan, 2012
I kid you not. In the Queensland Times newspaper today there was an announcement:
"THE tender for the development of a $150 million aerospace and defence centre at Amberley has been awarded. KPMG, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Suters Architects will work together on the $150 million world-class aerospace and defence hub. Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser said the companies would prepare the business case and detailed master plan. "We anticipate this centre will create up to 3500 Queensland jobs and generate more than $10 billion in economic activity over the long-term, so it's important that we get this right," he said."
Read more...
What kind of sonic environment will that create? I wonder if they will be looking for local ethnomusicologists and creative arts health professionals to devise suitable anthems for aerospace adventures? Surely there would be a worthwhile culturally engaged community music project on the theme:
- Aerospace Ethnomusicology: Musicians in Flight
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MUSICAL DOGS: GOOD GRIEF, WHAT NEXT? STAR WARS ADVENTURES
Oooowww, wwooo, wow... even the dogs are getting into the Star Wars music act now! Check out the Bark Side Choir on the 2012 Volkswagen Game Day video.
 The Bark Side: Volkwagens and Star Wars Music??? |
MUSIC BLOG 366
The 366 Project of occupational therapist, Matthew Molineaux, which involves taking a photograph, each day, every day for 2012 -- started me thinking about a musical way of doing that. What would it sound like to record a sound, or write music for every day of the year? Might try that...
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Greetings to Bruce and everyone in the Underground Opera Company. I love it when people contact me to talk about what they are planning for the future. When I wrote "In Search of UMOs," and asked for sub-terranean Unidentified Musical Objects (UMOs), I never for one minute imagined that people would be making music underground...However, the Underground Opera Company does! The video of their opera performance in the Jenolan Caves is particularly awe-inspiring. Looking forward to UOC events closer to home in 2012.
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USE YOUR MUSIC LESSONS WELL
HHHHHrrrr, not more music creatives in outer space doing Cello Wars again. Use your cellos for good!
 The Piano Guys on You Tube, a long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away....
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TRAVEL LOG OF MUSIC ADVENTURES
This week I enjoyed a visit to see the Link-Up Sustaining Connections Art for Well-being display. We had morning tea with the project team and even sang some songs with well-known artist and singer, Aunty Rhonda Collard. It is well worth visiting the exhibition if it comes to your region. If not, check the Link-up website to read about this inspiring project of artwork with Stolen Generations communities around Queensland.
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Hi Everyone at the Orange Regional Conservatorium in New South Wales and the Association of NSW Regional Conservatoriums. Good to hear from you via the Music Health email group. I was interested to read that you teach Celtic Harp and Bagpipes in your music education program, not only orchestral instruments.
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MUSIC HEALTH WORKSHOPS, IPSWICH, QUEENSLAND
 Music Health Australia
Annual Discovery Weekend 2-3 June, 2012
Proposed Program - in Draft (subject to change or cancellation)
You are invited to come and tell us all about your musical livelihoods.
Saturday morning 2 June
Regional Round-up: 15-20 minute presentations from people to 'show and tell' their musical livelihood and what they are doing around Australia, particularly in relation to music and health -- followed by 10 minute question time.
Saturday afternoon 2 June
Concerts and workshops about musical livelihoods.
Saturday evening
Dinner at Ipswich restaurant
Sunday morning 3 June
Special Interest Group meetings - grouped according to musical livelihoods or other themes.
Inter-disciplinary panel discussion about collaborative problem-solving of real issues and complex cases.
Sunday afternoon 3 June
Optional post-conference workshops or tour of local attractions such as Purga Music Museum.
Costs - Aiming to make this very affordable -- perhaps $50 registration for Saturday, $35 for Sunday; or $75 for whole weekend. Saturday night dinner to be costed separately.
Expressions of interest: Please Submit 1-2 page proposals by 28 February, 2012 to Sandra (kirkwood13@bigpond.com), and let us know if you would like to be on the organising committee.
Acceptance of presentations/workshops to be advised by 31 March, 2012.
Trade displays are welcome.
Travel: There is rail link-up from Brisbane Airport to Ipswich. Ipswich is situated 40 kms south-west of Brisbane.
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Hello, to everyone in the South Burnett Community Orchestra (SBCO) from Kingaroy, Queensland. Thanks for contacting us. Great to hear that you now have 50-60 musicians in your orchestra!
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SOLAR-POWERED MUSICAL PLAYGROUND???
Whaaaat? An Electric Musical Playground? How does that work?  Richie's Electric Playground You Tube
Richie Allen, Jolt Creatives, Robotics Consultant and Sound Artist.
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MUSICAL CURIOSITY - BUILD YOUR OWN SOLAR HOUSE WITH MUSIC
"Get ready for a revolutionary science experience. Build your very own musical home that can be powered by natural sunlight or, when the sun is down, a hand powered DC generator. The house features, a working LED sign display, doorbell, windmill and musical sound. Enjoy listening to the music in the house anywhere and anytime! At the same time learn about green energy."
I'm asking: Is this a good musical toy? Is there any place in our world for solar-powered music players in our indoor living or outdoor spaces? Should we use general household solar power supplies to run music players, or do we need something more special? What about musical instruments? How could they be solar-powered? What are the benefits of solar-powered musical devices? How can they allow us to be more creative? Do you know of any other solar-sonic equipment or toys? Any feedback?
Available from www.madaboutscience.com.au |
PLAYING MUSIC / DRINKING COFFEE IN OUTER SPACE
NASA astronaut Cady Coleman played the flute on the International Space Station Feb. 9, 2011. Read more...
CREDIT: NASA TV
 (click on link to You Tube video) Astronaut drinking coffee in space (NASA)  Earth
Has anyone tried this? Does anyone want to try it? Why? Why not?
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A big "Hello" to everyone at the Andre Navarra School for musical talents in Podgorica, Montenegro. Good to hear from you! Enjoyed reading your blog and seeing the lovely photographs. Interested to hear more about your school and your music performances.
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Here is a fun website with games, called "Learn English," by the British Council.
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Over the last week in October, I asked for people to bring out their UMOs (Unidentified or Unused Musical Objects).
In travelling around, it has been curious to discover Unlikely Musical Objects in the strangest of places -- in homes, backyards, sheds, playgrounds and botanical gardens, community halls and churches. I am looking for all different kinds of Unused Musical Instruments, or Unusual Musical Traditions (UMTs) that are rarely heard or in danger of dying out. Would love to write about these on the website.
I can recall mentioning that we are especially looking for flying, extraterrestrial, sub-terranean, and aquatic UMOs; even Alien Musical Encounters with UMOs -- I never really imagined what that might bring.
And then Joann of the Tuggerah Lakes UFO Group sent me a kind invitation to attend the next UFO meeting at Wyong in New South Wales. UFO is the term used for "Unidentified Flying Objects" (which usually refers to space ships and the like). 'Hi' to everyone in the Tuggerah Lakes UFO group, great to meet you on Facebook.
This opens a whole new dimension of extraterrestrial music (ET), which people have been exploring on You Tube. I wasn't originally thinking about aliens and space ships, but the UFO experts say, "the Truth is Out There"....so we really should post more recordings of UMO sounds and sightings from around Australia, or beyond.
Coming to a Galaxy near you...Let us know if there are strange musical sounds coming from your neighbourhood... dooo, doo,doo,do,do,dddddddrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrt  UMOs from HAPI  |
TRAVEL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY IN SEARCH OF MUSICAL ADVENTURES
Music Museum Outreach is about exploring music occupations and soundscapes in the real world - outside the four walls of the museum or the classroom. On 9th October, the Brisbane Kite Festival inspired my research into wind-powered instruments, as well as a lot of kite flying for people of all ages (see below).
The 7th Annual Grass Roots Music Festival Sunday, 16th October, Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens, Toowong: featured award-winning musicians ranging in style from acoustic rock to blues to bluegrass to roots and back again, in a lush environment inviting to all ages... and it was free of charge. The question I was interested in exploring was, "Does the environment make a difference to musical enjoyment and participation?" This is what I discovered....
It was a great atmosphere in the Botanic Gardens, reclining on the grassy slope in front of the bandstand, with families and people of all ages crowding all around and relaxing under the shady trees.
I learned about musicians' health through listening to a song entitled, "The Gig from Hell." Amazing, to hear the misadventures of musicians on the road -- getting lost, rocking up to the gig at the wrong time, playing the wrong musical genre; and waiting, waiting for the cheque in the mail. But this concert at Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens was more of a Picnic in a Park, than a Gig from Hell.
I wandered around the back of the bandstand to see if there was any access for wheelchairs onto the stage, and drifted into wandering through endless meandering tracks -- on and on through a cool, shady rainforest area with a gently babbling stream...and to my surprise, I came across a strange sort-of-metallic xylophone thing that you could sit upon, with mallets underneath that looked for all the world like microphones with cords attached. While no one was listening or looking, I tapped out delightful ringing sounds -- that sometimes harmonised with the brook, and at other times jangled Debussy, gamelan-reminiscent melodies that were somewhat dissonant to the country rock/blues concert happening far away in the background.
Just when I thought that I had stumbled into an altogether different soundworld, along came two lads of about 10 or 12 years of age, who said to their parents, "Oh, look at the seat with microphones, we better not touch that." As they were about to leave, I said, "but listen -- you can play it." And they had a great time playing the King Fern Seat, and entertaining all the passers-by with their musicking.
It was strange to find that fandangled Unidentified Musical Object (UMO), hidden away out there in the rainforest -- where I didn't expect to hear the sounds of children making music. Serendipity at its best, that the kids could stage their own concert in a secret place!
Musical play equipment is now appearing in many local public playgrounds and it can be used freely by people of any age or ability. We have steel drums at Browns Park at North Ipswich, and also at the Springfield Parklands. What was intriguing about the King Fern Seat, however, was that it emulated the shape of a plant in the natural environment in which it was situated, and had different functions -- as a seat and a musical instrument.
Online research reveals that Freenotes, a UK company now supplies outdoor musical playground equipment through an Australian distributor called Active Play. Other websites of interest include:
wHere neXt?? wAnt tO joiN uS... coUld Be musIc hApPenIng iN yoUr Own baCkyaRd... oR doWn thE roaD! |
BRISBANE KITE FESTIVAL, 9 October, 2011
 
(photographs by Sandra Kirkwood)
Today, hundreds of people were out flying kites for the Brisbane Kite Festival which was held at Murrarie Recreation Ground.
Many kites make noises, such as those that swoop and make a whooshing or whistling sound. Exploring other things that fly and make wind-powered sounds (also known as aeolian instruments).
Nerf Vortex Pocket Howler Review (Aus Toys)
 People have incorporated these kind of sound makers into kites and other weird and wonderful wind-powered instruments.
See Videos of musical kites and wind instruments (Didier Ferment, Robert Valkenburgh, Uli Wahl, Bruno Tondellier).
Bibliography of musical kites (with thanks to Uli Wahl for this extraordinary research)!
Resources for unusual instruments and instrument making
(Thanks to Experimental Musical Instruments. Email contact emi@windworld.com).
Check out the Singing Ringing Tree, Panopticon, Crown Point, Burnley, Lancashire, UK
(a very inspiring wind powered instrument that was commissioned by the Burnley Council).
 Singing Ringing Tree (sounds a bit spooky with wind howling through pipes)
Curious to know if anyone is experimenting with musical kites or wind-powered instruments in Australia?
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MUSIC MUSEUM OUTREACH PROGRAMS
Research and development for Music Museum Outreach Programs has been in progress throughout 2011. The following projects were initially run in south-east Queensland and could now be extended to other regions:
FISH'N'SING Musicking that is related to certain occupations such as fishing; linking human interaction with natural ecologies and environmental protection agendas.
MUSIC LIFE STORIES Creating stories related to people, land, and livelihoods; musical tributes.
PIPE BANDS HISTORY Investigating history and music traditions of particular cultural groups.
PLACE-BASED SCOPING STUDIES & MUSIC ACTION PLANS Community consultation, research & development to advise on future planning of culturally engaged music for a region. Developing Music Action Plans.
HEALTH PROMOTION Community-based rehabilitation (eg. Flood Recovery Sing-along). Occupational Therapy assessment and programs to promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity through ethnomusicking.
To register your interest in being involved, please contact us.
The Music Museum Outreach webpage focuses on musicking of people of all ages and abilities. The webpage broadcasts a whole range of novel creative activities, music occupations and community collaborations, such as:
- Natural or constructed environments that allow people to design, adapt and shape their own musicking experiences;
- Positive examples of equity, diversity and access to performing arts;
- Participatory musicking which allows people to have a voice on issues that are meaningful and relevant to their daily lives, rather than relying on mass media representations;
- Observations about whether musicking is supported as a valued occupation in particular contexts;
- Examples of musical livelihoods, and how people negotiate interactions that support musicking;
- Supporting cultural leadership by elders and culture bearers locally, nationally and internationally;
- Connection of musicking to place, especially places of social, environmental and cultural significance ;
- Building relationships that encourage social inclusion of people with unmet needs;
- Pursuit of excellence in musicking, and examples of outstanding individuals or ensembles;
- Moving across boundaries of services, encouraging inter-disciplinary interaction and innovation;
- Collaboration in identifying concerns, problem-solving and responding to musical issues to promote health and well-being.
The purpose is to inform people about the possibilities for cultural engagement with community music nationally, and to encourage people to refer to Music Health Australia for consultancy and support services. The Music Museum Outreach grew from the Purga Music Museum which was established in rural Ipswich, Queensland in 2003. The Purga Music Story is on FaceBook.
References
Kirkwood, Sandra (2011). Doing, being and becoming more active through playing part in community-based museum scenarios [electronic version]. Retrieved 15 September, Music Health Australia: Ipswich (http://www.musichealth.com.au/attachments/File/PublishedKirkwoodFinal.pdf).
Kirkwood, S. (2010) Ethnomusicking: Valued music occupation or audacious antics in the Purga Music Museum. Cultural Diversity in Music Education Conference Proceedings, 11-12 January, 2010, Sydney, Australia.
(CDIME 10 Conference website).
Kirkwood, S. (2009) Turn of the century: Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band 1909-2009. Ipswich. Available for purchase from (www.ipswichthistle.com)
Kirkwood, S. (2009) Frameworks of culturally engaged community music practice for rural Ipswich, Australia. Master of Philosophy Thesis. Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. Full text available from Australasian Digital Theses Program
Kirkwood, Sandra (2008) The First Hundred Years of the Ipswich Thistle Pipe Band: A 'Community of Discovery' Approach to Participatory Action Research [online]. In: Strong, Catherine (Editor); Phillipov, Michelle (Editor). Stuck in the Middle: the Mainstream and its Discontents: Selected Proceedings of the 2008 IASPM-ANZ Con ference. Auckland, N.Z.: International Association for the Study of Popular Music. 2008: 152-164.
(Full text available through Informit database).
Kirkwood, S. (2005) The Purga Music Story and Harold Blair. Purga Music Museum. Ipswich.
Weiss, Joël (2006) Beyond MuseumWalls: An Exploration of the Origins and Futures of Web-Based, Museum Education Outreach inThe International Handbook of Virtual Learning Environments (p.915). |
Article written by Sandra Kirkwood; last updated 25 Jan, 2012.
© Sandra Kirkwood, 2008 |
