ABOUT THIS PROJECT

What does it mean when musicians listen? Who and what are they listening to? What are they listening for? This project was born out of our explorations of different ways of listening - individually and together - as part of understanding how the practice of listening shapes not only line and phrase, but also generates new opportunities for connection. Working across a semester, students explored different improvisational approaches to creating a shared soundscape. These group improvisations, building on the musical leadership of Ryan Williams, culminated in a recording session. Around an agreed tonal centre, students improvised a full length piece, and created a library of improvised sound samples. As the improvisations emerged, we imagined ourselves in tranquil settings, and this lush, 'undisturbed' aspect of our collective music-making reminded us of being out in nature, surrounded by birds. We connected with Andrew Skeoch, and we are delighted to share these pieces with the accompaniment of his stunning field recordings of the Bassian Thrush, Lewin Honeyeater and King Parrott. Carla Thackrah's Earthgods offers a different kind of listening experience, inviting performers and audiences to reimagine a solo work by J.S. Bach. One of the highlights of our work together is the opportunity we have to collaborate, not only with other wind players, but across the streams of the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance. For this EP, we invited Composition and Music Technology students to respond to our improvisations and the field recordings, to weave these themes of listening, responding and connection together. We are delighted to share with you the outcomes of this work, and our expanding collaborative practice. From old to new, composed to improvised, and the natural world to the studio environment, we hope the music on this album provides an opportunity for moments of pause, and of peace.