Doric (provisional title) an electroacoustic sound poem Composer John Kenny Sound designer Christopher Wheeler Lighting design and projected image John McGeoch The aim of this project is to create an electroacoustic and audio composition, created out of sounds and images of both the natural and man made environment of the town of Huntly, with specific reference to the phonemes, phraseology, and cadence of the Doric dialect. The composer intends to use a combination of historical fact, local storytelling, and contemporary gossip to develop a structure for the piece, which will consist of an electronic sound score produced by treating and manipulating these environmental sound sources in a studio workshop, and combining this with both composed and instrumental elements, performed live. This piece will be developed over a ten day research and development period during which John Kenny and sound designer will be resident in Huntly. Intimately involved with this aural gathering and manipulation of materials will be the development of a visual element, in direct response to the sounds and themes of the piece. Film maker John McGeoch will work with Kenny and Wheeler in gathering visual images of the sound sources, both static and motive. These will be combined with the sound in eventual performance, creating a tapestry of moving and static images in tandem with the electroacoustic score. The premier performance of this piece will take place in the Town Square of Huntly on Halloween 2004. The event will be the culmination of a procession starting at Huntly Castle; the mystique of Doric will move seamlessly into an outdoor party, involving the whole town of Huntly, in which Christopher Wheeler will take the lead, employing his skills as one of the UK’s finest DJs, with visual projection by John McGeoch.
Resources needed: 1) Residential accommodation for John Kenny, Christopher Wheeler (John McGeoch?) 2) Studio space to enable JK & CW to manipulate the sound sources they collect and sample. 3) Workshop space for JK & CW: a secure room in which it is possible to erect a portable PA system, mixing desk, and computer. John Kenny’s will practice his instruments in this room, and also work with Chris Wheel on the developing sound score. We need to find a small, good quality, PA for this purpose 4) Sound Projection Equipment (PA) powerful for the actual performance. 5) If John McGeoch IS involved, we need to cost the lighting and projection equipment. He owns most of this, so it should form part of his total fee.