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Oberlin TIMARA: memories of water at Wurtzel Theater (Mar. 12)

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by Jacob Strauss

hereOn March 12, the audience was invited to sit on the floor in the middle of Wurtzel Theater for a program of compositions and soundscapes created by faculty members of Oberlin Conservatory’s TIMARA (Technology in Music and Related Arts) program. This was the first public presentation of their work since March 2020.

Each piece was individually introduced by the artist. After telling us a little bit about what we were about to hear, the environment changed: colorful washes of light fell over us, and we became surrounded by music. [Read more…]

Getting inside the Crafting Change Symposium: a conversation with Abby Aresty

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by Mike Telin

When I first read about the Crafting Change Symposium, I learned that it was a series of free, virtual presentations, concerts, panel discussions, and workshops, through which teachers — kindergarten through college — and artists/makers from a variety of disciplines would share their creative approaches to exploring science, humanities, and art with an emphasis on inclusion.

When I read further I encountered such terms as Maker Movement, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics).

My initial reaction was, I know a little bit about most of this, but not a lot about any of it. But after reading session descriptions and presenter bios, I was hooked. I needed to know more.

Last week I attended two sessions. “Crafting the Hybrid Body,” led by Cindy Kao from Cornell’s Hybrid Body Lab, was a fascinating lecture about wearable technology, and the four presenters in the “Lightning Lunchtime Panel” all had inspirational stories to share. Hearing Sara Trail talk about how she uses sewing and quilting to engage young people though the Social Justice Sewing Academy was enlightening. Crafting Change continues through June 19. [Read more…]

Oberlin’s Gratitude Showers Challenge begins with Monday broadcast

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by Jarrett Hoffman

A group of students at Oberlin College and Conservatory are spreading gratitude and raising funds for healthcare professionals at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, all in a distinctly creative way.

On Monday evening, the Gratitude Showers Challenge kicked off with a broadcast on YouTube from 7:15 to 10:00 pm. I watched the first 40 minutes, which began with Abby Aresty and her students in the course Sonic Arts in Society explaining their project and how people can participate.

Stated most simply, they’re gathering notes of gratitude — a few words, or even a picture — from the public that will then be shared with hospital workers. They’re also asking for donations of $1 for each message received, up to their goal of 100 messages.

The messages will be written out on raindrop-shaped cuts of vinyl, and once it is deemed safe, installed on clear umbrellas that will make up an art installation in a courtyard at the Hospital.

[Read more…]

TIMARA turns 50, and
there’s going to be a party

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by Mike Telin

There’s going to be a party at Finney Chapel on Saturday, November 16 beginning at 7:30 pm. The grand occasion marks the fiftieth anniversary of Oberlin Conservatory’s TIMARA (Technology in Music and Related Arts) program, the nation’s first conservatory program in electronic music.

“Olly Wilson taught the first electronic music course in 1969 and John Clough taught the first computer music class in the spring of 1970,” associate professor of computer music and digital arts Tom Lopez said during an interview. “We thought that 50 years was cause to celebrate.”

Organized by Lopez, the free Kaleidosonic Music Festival will feature nearly 500 musicians performing a variety of styles — gospel, classical, rock and roll, jazz, early music, marching band, serious, funny, and avant-garde.

“Kaleidosonic will be an epic celebration of music at Oberlin. It includes musicians and ensembles from the Conservatory, the College, and the community,” Lopez said. “We’re calling it a festival because it is more than a concert. It will be many hours long and the music will be non-stop — one big, long, sonic collage of ensembles, groups, and individual musicians. People can come and go as they wish and there will be food trucks available from 7:00 until 10:00.” [Read more…]

Ursula Oppens to perform Harvey’s Bird Concerto with Oberlin CME

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by Mike Telin

Oppens-UrsulaThe music of birds has served as inspiration for composers since the beginning of time. In 2016, Classical-music.com, the official website of BBC Music Magazine, honored their 50,000 Twitter followers by naming the six best compositions inspired by birdsong. The list included Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, Respighi’s Gli uccelli (The Birds), Rautavaara’s Cantus Arcticus, Elgar’s Owls, and Messiaen’s Le merle noir (The blackbird). Also on that list is Jonathan Harvey’s Bird Concerto with Pianosong.

On Friday, April 6 at 8:00 pm in Warner Concert Hall, pianist Ursula Oppens will join the Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble for a performance of Harvey’s colorful work which features the sounds of 40 Californian birds, including the indigo bunting, orchard oriole, and the golden crowned sparrow. Under the direction of Timothy Weiss, the program also includes Christopher Stark’s True North, Steve Reich’s New York Counterpoint, Jesse Jones’ Snippet Variations, and Lee Hyla’s Polish Folk Songs. The concert will be streamed here. Oppens will also present a master class on Wednesday, April 4 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Conservatory’s Bibbins Hall, room 224. Both events are free.  [Read more…]

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