Vancouver New Music Presents: Sonic Playground

Vancouver New Music, in partnership with the Vancouver Academy of Music presents a new edition of Sonic Playground on Saturday, January 26, 2014 at 10 AM. This interactive, improvisational and educational music program is a FREE event, open to children 8 – 12 years old, hosted at the Vancouver Academy of Music (1270 Chestnut Street, Vancouver). Devised by Sound Out Loud (Justin Dervies and Robyn Jacob), these Vancouver-based musicians and educators will also lead the workshop.

The four-hour program is designed as an introduction to sound improvisation techniques; it will entail a series of fun confidence building games and sonic awareness exercises, all conducted in a group setting. Participants are encouraged to freely produce sound utilizing traditional musical instruments, as well as the voice and body, and noise making toys that attendees can bring to the session. The auditory approaches to be explored are meant to provide a solid grounding in sonic communication and musical language.

Music experience is not required; some instruments will be available at the workshop, however participants are welcome to bring an instrument, if they have one.

Space is limited, and reservations are recommended: email [email protected] or call 604.633.0861 by Thursday, January 24, 2014 before 5:00 PM.

Justin Devries is a drummer interested in electronic and Balinese music and is an avid researcher of music from all corners of the globe.

Robyn Jacob has 10 years of experience teaching piano, music theory, and composition as well as contemporary music courses. Jacob performs with her solo project Fist Full o’ Snacks and with group projects for Gamelan Gita Asmara, Publik Secrets, and Gamelan Bike Bike. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia.

ABOUT VANCOUVER NEW MUSIC
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2013, Vancouver New Music is dedicated to exploring and contextualizing new music and sonic art, through concert presentations, festival, community, and workshop events. VNM regularly commissions and premieres new works by Canadian composers, presents leading and emerging electroacoustic and electronic music artists, international composers and performers, sound installations and music theatre. VNM presents an annual festival that focuses each year on a theme within the new music landscape, and explores the interaction of contemporary music with other disciplines such as theatre, installation and media arts. Other activities include lectures and workshops with visiting artists, ensemble workshops and presentations open to the community, and other sound art and new music related community events.