Page 12 - Memories of the Maestro 9.11.21

Along with our study of improvisation and aleatoric effects, we also listened to and experimented with
electronic music. Some of these fascinating sounds seemed appropriate for our sound painting. The

important factor in this case was to coordinate these sounds with our total musical experiment so that they
would be complimentary rather than distractional. Static sound with high voltage crackles were suggested
to accompany the softer passages in the storm. Wild frequency modulations with erratic movement
seemed to compliment the peak of storm activity. A final addition to our experiment was a student

inspired psychedelic light show with the use of a color organ for visual effects.

Notation of our music was a special problem as there are no guidelines to show any standardized methods
of representing our music on paper. Our solution was a pictorial approximation of the sounds we chose to
use.

The most important aspect of creating our new music was the process of constant evaluation and
re-evaluation of our explorations. This took almost scientific detachment to judge the effectiveness of each

component of our experiment with it’s relation to the entire work. Constructive criticisms and suggestions
were given by all members of the band, building an attitude of inquiry which carried over into our regular
band literature giving it more meaning than ever before. The students rated the sound painting as the

most exciting and challenging thing they had ever done in music. The results gained in sensitivity during
the creation of our happening made this project more than worth the time invested.

A concert performance of ‘The Storm’ is scheduled in the near future (December 18th, 1969) We know how
we feel about the music and are anxious to share it. We also know how Stravinsky’s new music was first
accepted in the early 1900’s, but we are convinced our music has real merit and will be a highlight of our

concert program.

What possibilities are next? One student demonstrated the microtonal musical application of the sounds
produced by blowing air across the time of a water filled turkey baster. Another student discovered a
particularly tooth shaking sound on the baritone sax. The approach to new music explored by the band

could be applied to any group from beginners to professionals, instrumental as well as vocal.

We do not know yet what our next experiment in sound will bring, but with the unshackled imaginations
of our students at work, we can be sure that it will be exciting and rewarding.