Tag Archives: acoustics

Aural, Life, Listening, Live Events, mp3s, Recording, Technology

Worcester Cathedral

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While on holiday last week, I found myself in the Chapter House of Worcester Cathedral. Just walking [kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/pKBS4c0KQJg" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /] into this circular, stone room it was clear that the acoustic was magnificent – as was the silence. My guitar and Zoom H2 recorder were just across the road in the multi-storey car park, and before long, I was making enquiries about the possibility of making a recording. The cathedral staff, Susan Macleod in particular, were very friendly and accommodating.

These are not magnificent performances by any means (I hadn’t exactly been shaping up for a performance of any sort) but I couldn’t resist playing in this room and was grateful to have the opportunity to be able to direct pupils to an example of the difference that acoustics can make to the feel of a performance.

Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1 BWV 1007 (J. S. Bach) cello-prelude

Now Westlin’ Winds (Burns arr Coady) now-westlin-winds

For Michael (Coady) for-michael

Three Jigs:(Coady) three-jigs

  1. Hamish Henderson

  2. Dick Gaughan

  3. Jimmy Johnstone

 I also messed around with a few notes (and spaces) just to play with the echo: playing-with-chapter-house-echo

 

Additional Pages, Concerts, Ensembles, Listening, Pupil Performance

Showcase Concert 2009

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This year’s East Lothian Showcase Concert took place last night in the Brunton Hall, Musselburgh. The evening showcases, to a packed house, the inter-school String, Wind, Jazz, Percussion & Guitar Ensembles.

I have to confess to loathing the acoustic of the Brunton Hall which constantly threatens to undermine the many, many hours of work put in by guitar pupils, as it’s virtually impossible for them to hear one another. Rhythmic cues necessary for timing are often inaudible as, for example, a cough by one member of the audience reverberates as loudly as the sound of 40 guitars. Our preference is the magnificent acoustic of Musselburgh Grammar School’s hall, where the event has been hosted in years when the Brunton Hall was mercifully unavailable.

That said, tragedy was averted for another year and the pupils turned in a commendable performance. You can hear mp3s of the East Lothian Guitar Ensemble’s contribution to this year’s event on the East Lothian Guitar Ensemble page.

Other ensembles seem to thrive in this acoutic. The magnificent Wind Ensemble nearly took the roof off!