Colin Riley: The Open Fund for Music Creators

For:

(M2R) Made to Resonate: New Solo Works with Objects

Made to Resonate is an interdisciplinary project combining composition, performance, acoustics, audio manipulation, and design led by composer Colin Riley. Working with live electronics designer Carl Faia, and installationists Dan Fox and Kathy Hinde, new repertoire for solo alto flute, solo bass clarinet and solo harp, will be created with sonic accompaniments formed from objects (both found and specially constructed) which are induced to resonate. It follows a pilot work for pianist Kate Halsall called ‘Hanging In The Balance’ incorporating the vibrations of various bits of a drum kit.

Hanging In The Balance Documentary. A solo alto flute piece for Carla Rees (UK) utilises specifically-created spinning mechanisms set in motion by the airflow of a specially-designed head joint. A solo bass clarinet piece for Gareth Davis (Netherlands) plays with the feedback and cross-beatings from a set of hung speakers, manipulated by computer software and the precise movements of the performer in new extended techniques. A solo harp piece for Hélène Breschand (France) breaks all the conventions of harp music, extending its range with large-wire constructions and turning it into a controller for an extensive range of techniques; use of plectrums, e-bows, conventional bows, singing and blowing, and a range of preparations. Made to Resonate will examine the potentials for further compositions utilizing these techniques created specifically for an audience of people who have mild to profound deafness. It will also explore the possibilities for the integrative, project-based teaching of physics, design and composition in schools, crossing the science/arts border.