[SLOrk-China] action items!

[Hana Shin]

Proposal/Rant:
When I first encountered the Princeton Laptop Orchestra three years ago, I
think I went through somewhat of a culture shock. Having been trained as a
pianist, the extent of my knowledge in "music technology" was perhaps
playing mp3 files out of computers, and the sight of tilting laptops and
game controllers making bleeps out of sci-fi-esque hemispheric speakers was
simply exotic, weird, confusing, cool, all at the same time. Over the
years, though, I've come to witness and understand the power and potential
of the laptop orchestra as a vehicle for performance experiences as -if not
more- compelling as what any other ensemble can provide. At the same time,
it unlocked for me a whole new world of music-technology intersections that
not only taught me how to use the technical tools but also enriched my
insights as a creator and lover of music, and went so far as to steer the
course of my academic career towards it.

I am participating in a laptop orchestra for the third time now, and I have
found it remarkable just how different the experience has been each year.
Part of it, of course, is the different mix of people and group dynamics.
The pieces, too, are incredibly diverse, with so many tools and quirky
ideas that can potentially be explored on top of the already-infinite
musical possiblities. But there's something about the laptop orchestra that
seems to respond much more sensitively to the holistic "performance
experience" (both for the performers and the audience) than perhaps the
more traditional forms of ensembles. Besides writing the notes and
showcasing the latest cool technology (which are undoubtedly important
parts of the process), one meticulously "designs" the whole performance,
because every choice of tools, equipment, and methods of presentation is an
essential part of the aesthetics of the piece. It is both advantageous and
challenging/dangerous that, in a laptop orchestra, the means is also the
end. It is also what makes each performance such a unique experience.

In this intensive seminar, I hope to explore some of these issues and delve
deeper into designing compelling laptop orchestra performances because...
there are just too many interesting sounds to be heard, human phenomena to
be mapped, and laptops to be tilted.


Bio:
Hana Shin is a composer, pianist, and improviser with particular interest
in the intersections between music and various sciences. Her works have
focused on incorporating computer-mediated technologies as well as findings
from linguistics and neuroscience into musical composition, performance,
and beyond. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music from Princeton
University, where she took part in the Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk)
and worked with composers Paul Lasnky and Dan Trueman. She is currently
pursuing a Master's degree at the Center for Computer Research in Music and
Acoustics (CCRMA) at Stanford University.


On Thu, Apr 24, 2014 at 3:01 PM, Ge Wang <ge at ccrma.stanford.edu> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> This is a reminder to send me (if you haven't already):
>
>      1) 1-2 paragraph proposal for the seminar, briefly describing your
>         interest in music/technology, and interest in the seminar.
>      2) 1 paragraph bio
>
> Thanks!
>
> Ge!
>
> On 4/21/14 11:54 AM, Ge Wang wrote:
> > Greetings Team SLOrk-China!
> >
> >
> > Updates!
> > ---
> > - for those of you who don't know yet, John Granzow will be joining us;
> > the fellowship is complete!
> > - as of last week, general budget has been approved!
> >
> >
> > Action Item #1: Booking Travel
> > ---
> > now that budget is settled, it's time to book travel;  first, we'll need
> > to figure out actual dates for everyone (and any special needs)
> > ---
> > * proposed deadline: end of this week
> > * please edit this google spreadsheet: http://bit.ly/QApd3o
> > * I've tentatively put down some dates, please add/adjust by end of day
> > tomorrow;
> > * except for Rob and Kitty, the rest of us are tentatively leaving
> > between 6/7 and 6/9 (let's see what ticket options are like first)
> > * Nette and Kitty will facilitate!  let's start looking at flight
> > options (let's aim for direct flights from SFO to PEK on United or Air
> > China);  we'll plan on actually booking on Thursday/Friday
> > * I will be hanging/working in China through August; for anyone who
> > wants to stay beyond our seminar, I'm definitely down to work
> > together/chill/party, do additional performances, and travel to other
> > parts of China (I'll endeavor to be your guide to the more authentic
> > elements of China and culture).  We'll figure out logistics of that
> > separately...
> >
> > * let me know if you have questions;  also feel free to post questions
> > and discussions to this list (list members: rob, spencer, nette, kitty,
> > hana, alex, madeline, romain, john, ge)
> >
> > Action Item #2: "proposal" and bio
> > ---
> > * proposed deadline: end of this week
> > * as per our seminar description, we'll need "proposals" from you...
> > http://scpku.stanford.edu/working/seminars_wang_summer2014.html
> > * this is obviously more of a formality, but it will be good to have:
> > please send me a 1-2 paragraph proposal outlining your interest in music
> > and technology (in general), and a 1 paragraph bio (the latter we'll use
> > in program notes and documentation)
> >
> > The next action item will be visas... let's worry about that next week.
> >
> > Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!  Let's rock!
> >
> > Ge!
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > slork-china mailing list
> > slork-china at ccrma.stanford.edu
> > http://cm-mail.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/slork-china
>
> _______________________________________________
> slork-china mailing list
> slork-china at ccrma.stanford.edu
> http://cm-mail.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/slork-china
>
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