Soundings++
past 40 years
Oak in June
The fourth in the series documenting the oak tree in Mount Tabor, NJ, accompanied by Singing Masks. Blue Oracle, Sheeoué Windhorse, and Inua Yua join with the oak now in its full greenery. June 7, 2018
Coyote Bird Taqua Nut 3
Third take on the Coyote/Birds/Taqua Nut collaboration. June 3, 2018
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Coyote Bird Taqua Nut 2
Having some fun making semi-canonic chaos with Coyote and Birds with Taqua Nut music box. May 31, 2018
Coyote Bird Taqua Nut 1
Coyote joins Birds with Taqua Nut music box for a little jam session out on the porch. You may be able to hear a mourning dove cooing in the distance very faintly. May 29, 2018
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Oak in May
Chapter III in the meditative documentation of the big oak tree in Mount Tabor, NJ through the seasons from the end of winter, 2018. Here it is in first bloom of full green, with Greenman singing in celebration. May 22, 2018
Oak Into Spring
Continuing the documentation of the big oak tree in Mount Tabor, NJ that’s been drawing our attention for its long survival growing from a small patch of soil surrounded by tarmac, here it is in first leafing as Spring advances. Earth Singer accompanies it this time. May 9, 2018
White Meadow Lake
An excursion to White Meadow Lake on April 28, 2018, focusing on one of its little streams and contrasting forsythia along its rapid feed into the lake, and accompanied by RayBird sounding in celebration.
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Magnolia Sequence
Singing Masks celebrate the journey of a magnificent Magnolia Tree in Mount Tabor, NJ, in the Spring of 2018, from buds to full flowering in less then two weeks. Dates of filming were April 18, 26, 27, 29, with Singing Masks Greenman, Wood Thrush, Earth Singer, and Inua Yua, respectively.
Winter-Spring Transition
Further exploration of the transition from winter to spring around our house in Mount Tabor, NJ, 2018. Perhaps this can be considered a meditation on decay and regeneration, the old entropy/syntropy continuum. Here, Singing Mask Tunnituaruit* along with ancient Chinese bells, sounds in celebration and connection. April 24, 2018
*Inuit term meaning literally "little beings who only have tattooed faces" - magical half-bird and half-human creatures whose language of communication is "katadjait," throat singing.
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Starting Spring 2018
The Starting Spring Sequence, with Singing Masks celebrating and documenting a few instances of Spring arriving in Mount Tabor, NJ, 2018. The sequence includes an oak tree, a magnolia tree, some forsythia, and a maple tree. The Singing Masks in order of appearance: Basswood Fox, Anima, Greenman, Spirit of Dreamtime. April 17, 2018
Sounding the Long Dream
Sounding the Long Dream Winter into Spring, 2018. The full sequence of Singing Mask soundings from February through April, celebrating the Long Dream Journey in my new home with Liza in Mount Tabor, New Jersey. April 22, 2018
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Oak at Winter's End
Personal note: There's a fine old oak tree down at the corner as we turn off Pitman Place on to Dickerson when we're leaving Mount Tabor, NJ. Liza has been drawn to it for some time for its survival rooted as it is in an oasis of soil surrounded by tarmac, and for its prolific production of acorns. This is the first of a series intended to document its progress from the end of winter into autumn. April 16, 2018
Being On This Earth: With Water
Finally getting outside as Spring slowly arrives in Northern New Jersey, Buddha BigEars and Greenman Singing Masks join the little pond in Mount Tabor, NJ, making their call for connection with the Earth. With Water is the second of a planned series of brief Singing Mask ceremonies celebrating our human connections with things of the earth with the intent of realizing a sense of the sacred in everything no matter how mundane. April 11, 2018
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Dream of Reality
Dream of Reality / Reality of Dream. April 10, 2018
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Dreamtime Perspectives
Dreamtime Perspectives / Spirit Protectors. April 9, 2018
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Sketch -37
Sketch -37: Fox Spirit, Giraffe, Unicorn, Frog, Bamboo, and Peacock. April 9, 2018
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Camerata
Giraffes, Unicorn, Peacock, Frog, Bamboo, Flying Dreamer do a little singing. April 8, 2018
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Basswood Fox
Basswood Fox’s short story for today. April 5, 2018
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Fox Dreaming
Fox learning his dream of an April 2nd snow is not a dream. Or is it? Anyway, he’s content with his indoor home on the stairwell wall.
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Ganesha Has His Say
Ganesha has his say about conditions in the world today. Perhaps not so happy, but wishing everyone peace and joy nonetheless. April 1, 2018
Greenman Sings
Greenman sounding into Spring, and for whatever we might consider Holy and beautiful. March 30, 2018.
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Quartet
Singing Mask Quartet has some fun with a simple video editing episode. Masks include Tunnituaruit, Buddha BigEars, Wood Thrush, and RayBird.
RayBird Meets Buddha BigEars
Singing Masks RayBird and Buddha BigEars meet up in dream.
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Woodthrush
Woodthrush, calling for Spring? In any case, singing along with 2500-year-old Chinese bells https://www.freersackler.si.edu/exhib...
Buddha BigEars
Strange but true. Buddha BigEars has a different take on things. Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
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Lotus Sutra
from Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma for Voices and Riversounds, originally commissioned by Chaplain's Drew University for performance at Baccalaureate, May, 1995; also performed at opening ceremonies of Multicultural Awareness Day, Drew University, September, 1995. The recording here is by the Drew University Chorale, directed by Jason Bishop, performed December 3, 2016 in the Concert Hall of Drew University, Madison, New Jersey.
Tunnituaruit Commentary
A minute’s worth of Tunnituaruit doppelgänger commentary. (Tunnituaruit: Inuit term meaning literally "little beings who only have tattooed faces" - magical half-bird and half-human creatures whose language of communication is "katadjait," throat singing).
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Coyote
Coyote makes his appearance with the 2500-year-old Chinese Bells. He thinks his chortles make a good mix.
RayBird
RayBird wanted a turn singing with the Adaptive Use Musical Instruments (AUMI)-controlled samples of 2500-year-old Chinese bells. Coyote may have sneaked a few of his meaningless sounds into the mix. He’ll have to have his own turn sometime.
Top
Sheeoué Windhorse
Sheeoué Windhorse sounds, with bells and Coyote’s unintelligible voice.
Tunnituaruit
Brief message from Tunnituaruit, experimenting with AUMI (Adaptive Use Musical Instrument - http://ccc-rpi.org/research/aumi/), using gesture to sound bells and whale songs. Tunnituaruit is an Inuit term meaning literally "little beings who only have tattooed faces" - magical half-bird and half-human creatures whose language of communication is "katadjait," throat singing.
Top
Earth Singer Says
Finally getting around to exploring the marvelous Adaptive Use Musical Instrument (AUMI) app, developed under the guidance of Pauline Oliveros. Here Earth Singer has a bit to say while triggering samples of 2500-year-old Chinese bells. Information about AUMI can be found at http://ccc-rpi.org/research/aumi
Fox Responds
Responding to the baseboard heating air currents and probably other vibrations stirring around in our troubled times, Fox has a song he wants to share, as uncomfortable as it may make us.
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Soundings Gallery Tour II
It's been a year since the retrospective show SOUNDINGS was held in the Korn Art Gallery at Drew University in Madison, NJ, October 20 - November 18, 2016. A more formal "tour" is presented here then was released then. This includes each item zoomed in on and a sample of their sounds included.
Dream Shadows Dream
Dream Shadows Dream, as presented at the International Symposium on Adaptive Technology for Music and Art, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Video excerpt by Carole Ione.
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River of Bells at the Smithsonian
Commissioned by the Smithsonian's Freer|Ssckler Galleries for inclusion in the "Sounding: Ancient Bells of China" exhibit, 2017.
At the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery for the opening of “Resound: Ancient Bells of China,” viewing the commissioned video composition “River of Bells” in its premiere showing, October 14, 2017.
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The Cat
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Giraffe, Lion, Elephant
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Butterfly Music Box for Ezra and Crysta
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Butterflies for Ezra and Crysta
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Branches
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Singing Masks Through The Years
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Celebrating Nämforsen Rock Carvings
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Mini Jaguar Beat Box
Fox Variants
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Singing Mask Story #1
Very crude experimentation with new approach to "telling stories" with Singing Masks and a variety of gadgets.
Top
Locust Seed Pod Singing Mask with Display Stand
Work in progress, automaton display stand for Locust Seed Pod Singing Mask
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Dreaming Pauline Oliveros in Kingston
Dreaming/Remembering Pauline Oliveros
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Virtual Pauline in Second Life
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SOUNDINGS: Singing Masks/Automata/Multimedia
Opening Presentation, October 20
Soundings Gallery Tour
Closing Performance, from Dream Shadows Dream, Nov. 18
Closing Performance, Remember, Dream, Nov. 18
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past 40 years
RECENT PROJECTS
Oak in June
The fourth in the series documenting the oak tree in Mount Tabor, NJ, accompanied by Singing Masks. Blue Oracle, Sheeoué Windhorse, and Inua Yua join with the oak now in its full greenery. June 7, 2018
Coyote Bird Taqua Nut 3
Third take on the Coyote/Birds/Taqua Nut collaboration. June 3, 2018
Top
Coyote Bird Taqua Nut 2
Having some fun making semi-canonic chaos with Coyote and Birds with Taqua Nut music box. May 31, 2018
Coyote Bird Taqua Nut 1
Coyote joins Birds with Taqua Nut music box for a little jam session out on the porch. You may be able to hear a mourning dove cooing in the distance very faintly. May 29, 2018
Top
Oak in May
Chapter III in the meditative documentation of the big oak tree in Mount Tabor, NJ through the seasons from the end of winter, 2018. Here it is in first bloom of full green, with Greenman singing in celebration. May 22, 2018
Oak Into Spring
Continuing the documentation of the big oak tree in Mount Tabor, NJ that’s been drawing our attention for its long survival growing from a small patch of soil surrounded by tarmac, here it is in first leafing as Spring advances. Earth Singer accompanies it this time. May 9, 2018
White Meadow Lake
An excursion to White Meadow Lake on April 28, 2018, focusing on one of its little streams and contrasting forsythia along its rapid feed into the lake, and accompanied by RayBird sounding in celebration.
Top
Magnolia Sequence
Singing Masks celebrate the journey of a magnificent Magnolia Tree in Mount Tabor, NJ, in the Spring of 2018, from buds to full flowering in less then two weeks. Dates of filming were April 18, 26, 27, 29, with Singing Masks Greenman, Wood Thrush, Earth Singer, and Inua Yua, respectively.
Winter-Spring Transition
Further exploration of the transition from winter to spring around our house in Mount Tabor, NJ, 2018. Perhaps this can be considered a meditation on decay and regeneration, the old entropy/syntropy continuum. Here, Singing Mask Tunnituaruit* along with ancient Chinese bells, sounds in celebration and connection. April 24, 2018*Inuit term meaning literally "little beings who only have tattooed faces" - magical half-bird and half-human creatures whose language of communication is "katadjait," throat singing.
Top
Starting Spring 2018
The Starting Spring Sequence, with Singing Masks celebrating and documenting a few instances of Spring arriving in Mount Tabor, NJ, 2018. The sequence includes an oak tree, a magnolia tree, some forsythia, and a maple tree. The Singing Masks in order of appearance: Basswood Fox, Anima, Greenman, Spirit of Dreamtime. April 17, 2018
Sounding the Long Dream
Sounding the Long Dream Winter into Spring, 2018. The full sequence of Singing Mask soundings from February through April, celebrating the Long Dream Journey in my new home with Liza in Mount Tabor, New Jersey. April 22, 2018
Top
Oak at Winter's End
Personal note: There's a fine old oak tree down at the corner as we turn off Pitman Place on to Dickerson when we're leaving Mount Tabor, NJ. Liza has been drawn to it for some time for its survival rooted as it is in an oasis of soil surrounded by tarmac, and for its prolific production of acorns. This is the first of a series intended to document its progress from the end of winter into autumn. April 16, 2018
Being On This Earth: With Water
Finally getting outside as Spring slowly arrives in Northern New Jersey, Buddha BigEars and Greenman Singing Masks join the little pond in Mount Tabor, NJ, making their call for connection with the Earth. With Water is the second of a planned series of brief Singing Mask ceremonies celebrating our human connections with things of the earth with the intent of realizing a sense of the sacred in everything no matter how mundane. April 11, 2018
Top
Dream of Reality
Dream of Reality / Reality of Dream. April 10, 2018
Top
Dreamtime Perspectives
Dreamtime Perspectives / Spirit Protectors. April 9, 2018
Top
Sketch -37
Sketch -37: Fox Spirit, Giraffe, Unicorn, Frog, Bamboo, and Peacock. April 9, 2018
Top
Camerata
Giraffes, Unicorn, Peacock, Frog, Bamboo, Flying Dreamer do a little singing. April 8, 2018
Top
Basswood Fox
Basswood Fox’s short story for today. April 5, 2018
Top
Fox Dreaming
Fox learning his dream of an April 2nd snow is not a dream. Or is it? Anyway, he’s content with his indoor home on the stairwell wall.
Top
Ganesha Has His Say
Ganesha has his say about conditions in the world today. Perhaps not so happy, but wishing everyone peace and joy nonetheless. April 1, 2018
Greenman Sings
Greenman sounding into Spring, and for whatever we might consider Holy and beautiful. March 30, 2018.
Top
Quartet
Singing Mask Quartet has some fun with a simple video editing episode. Masks include Tunnituaruit, Buddha BigEars, Wood Thrush, and RayBird.
RayBird Meets Buddha BigEars
Singing Masks RayBird and Buddha BigEars meet up in dream.
Top
Woodthrush
Woodthrush, calling for Spring? In any case, singing along with 2500-year-old Chinese bells https://www.freersackler.si.edu/exhib...
Buddha BigEars
Strange but true. Buddha BigEars has a different take on things. Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
Top
Lotus Sutra
from Scripture of the Lotus Blossom of the Fine Dharma for Voices and Riversounds, originally commissioned by Chaplain's Drew University for performance at Baccalaureate, May, 1995; also performed at opening ceremonies of Multicultural Awareness Day, Drew University, September, 1995. The recording here is by the Drew University Chorale, directed by Jason Bishop, performed December 3, 2016 in the Concert Hall of Drew University, Madison, New Jersey.
Tunnituaruit Commentary
A minute’s worth of Tunnituaruit doppelgänger commentary. (Tunnituaruit: Inuit term meaning literally "little beings who only have tattooed faces" - magical half-bird and half-human creatures whose language of communication is "katadjait," throat singing).
Top
Coyote
Coyote makes his appearance with the 2500-year-old Chinese Bells. He thinks his chortles make a good mix.
RayBird
RayBird wanted a turn singing with the Adaptive Use Musical Instruments (AUMI)-controlled samples of 2500-year-old Chinese bells. Coyote may have sneaked a few of his meaningless sounds into the mix. He’ll have to have his own turn sometime.
Top
Sheeoué Windhorse
Sheeoué Windhorse sounds, with bells and Coyote’s unintelligible voice.
Tunnituaruit
Brief message from Tunnituaruit, experimenting with AUMI (Adaptive Use Musical Instrument - http://ccc-rpi.org/research/aumi/), using gesture to sound bells and whale songs. Tunnituaruit is an Inuit term meaning literally "little beings who only have tattooed faces" - magical half-bird and half-human creatures whose language of communication is "katadjait," throat singing.
Top
Earth Singer Says
Finally getting around to exploring the marvelous Adaptive Use Musical Instrument (AUMI) app, developed under the guidance of Pauline Oliveros. Here Earth Singer has a bit to say while triggering samples of 2500-year-old Chinese bells. Information about AUMI can be found at http://ccc-rpi.org/research/aumi
Fox Responds
Responding to the baseboard heating air currents and probably other vibrations stirring around in our troubled times, Fox has a song he wants to share, as uncomfortable as it may make us.Top
Soundings Gallery Tour II
It's been a year since the retrospective show SOUNDINGS was held in the Korn Art Gallery at Drew University in Madison, NJ, October 20 - November 18, 2016. A more formal "tour" is presented here then was released then. This includes each item zoomed in on and a sample of their sounds included.
Dream Shadows Dream
Dream Shadows Dream, as presented at the International Symposium on Adaptive Technology for Music and Art, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Video excerpt by Carole Ione.Top
River of Bells at the Smithsonian
PLAY
Commissioned by the Smithsonian's Freer|Ssckler Galleries for inclusion in the "Sounding: Ancient Bells of China" exhibit, 2017.
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The Cat
Shadow play music box.
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Giraffe, Lion, Elephant
Shadow play music box, September, 2017.
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Butterfly Music Box for Ezra and Crysta
For the marriage of Ezra Lowrey and Crysta Watson (now Ezra and Crysta Bloom), September 3, 2017.
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Butterflies for Ezra and Crysta
For the marriage of Ezra Lowrey and Crysta Watson (now Ezra and Crysta Bloom), September 3, 2017.
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Branches
Branching out from Singing Masks. Once starting to make masks in leather and having little scraps left over, I first made little finger masks but then started incorporating them into automata and music boxes. The results have mostly been whimsical, hoping to bring out a few smiles here and there.
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Singing Masks Through The Years
Traversing 38 years in the journey of the Singing Masks.
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Celebrating Nämforsen Rock Carvings
"Nämforsen in Näsåker (Sweden) is one of the largest single rock carving sites in Northern Europe. It has around 2,600 rock art preserved, the oldest believed was 6000 years old." namforsen.com. With Björn Eriksson (Salamander Singing Mask, Recorder, Bells), Floribel Eriksson (Fox Singing Mask, Voice), Norman Lowrey (Fox Singing Mask, Bells).
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Mini Jaguar Beat Box
"Score" submitted as one of 85 for the late composer Pauline Oliveros' 85th birthday turned remembrance tribute at McGill University's Still Listening conference.
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Fox Variants
What fox really says.
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Singing Mask Story #1
Very crude experimentation with new approach to "telling stories" with Singing Masks and a variety of gadgets.
Top
Locust Seed Pod Singing Mask with Display Stand
Work in progress, automaton display stand for Locust Seed Pod Singing Mask
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Dreaming Pauline Oliveros in Kingston
Presentation of "Dreaming Pauline with Singing Masks +" by Norman Lowrey, with Theo Lowrey performing on accordion, for the Kingston, NY Midtown Arts District A Celebration Tribute for Pauline Oliveros, held March 19, 2017 in Kingston City Hall. introduction by David Felton.
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Dreaming/Remembering Pauline Oliveros
A simple slideshow of photos of Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016) to accompany a soundscape created for live performance memorial tributes to her. The soundscape is the result of a brief dream I had of Pauline on February 17, 2017. "I am in a clearing by a gurgling stream. I hear a helicopter approach. It lands beside me. It's Pauline! She's smiling ear-to-ear and chuckling in her inimitable manner. She shouts "Get in!" I get in. She says "Let's go," and we take off. I awaken and realize she hasn't mentioned where she's taking me." The soundscape includes the inevitable helicopter sounds and clips of Pauline speaking about Deep Listening and chuckling, along with a recording of an improvisation she performed at Colorado University, Colorado Springs (UCCS) in April, 2013. She was joined later by the Peak Frequency Ensemble.
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Virtual Pauline in Second Life
Brief documentation of the Second Life set I created first for Ione's 22nd Annual Dream Festival Overnight for Dreaming Avatars held Dec. 31, 2016 - Jan. 1, 2017, dedicated to the memory of Pauline Oliveros. The set was then updated for inclusion in the Remembering Pauline Oliveros tribute held at the Park Avenue Armory, NYC, Feb. 6, 2017. This video was running simultaneously with live connection in Second Life, over the span of the 4 hours of a veritable cornucopia of performances and tributes that occurred in the Armory. The music heard in this video is from Pauline's "Crone Music" and "Ghost Dance."
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SOUNDINGS: Singing Masks/Automata/Multimedia
A Retrospective Exhibit, Drew University Korn Gallery
October 20 - November 18, 2016
Opening Presentation, October 20
Soundings Gallery Tour
Closing Performance, from Dream Shadows Dream, Nov. 18
Closing Performance, Remember, Dream, Nov. 18
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