What a wonderful way to spend a week
July 31, 2012
I spent this past week in Langley at the annual summer camp for the West Coast Amateur Musician Society. The camp is for ages 5 to 105 and is truly one of a kind!
The campers were just an enthusiastic, courageous, and wonderfully delightful bunch. I also had the chance to work with the youth attending the camp.
I coached the percussionists in the wind ensemble, orchestra, and created a performance entitled The Funky Street Parade with the Youth.
Everyone’s positive energy made for a wonderful time. I can’t remember the last time I was in a musical environment of this magnitude that was so uplifting. Even though we have our struggles and might not hit every note the love of and the passion for music keeps us going.
Best wishes to all my new friends!
WCAMS
July 16, 2012
I am really excited about next week! I’ve been invited to teach percussion at the West Coast Amateur Musicians Society’s annual summer camp. Check out the link: www.wcams.com
I look forward to meeting new friends and making great music!
Ethos Collective
July 7, 2012
I am a member of the Ethos Collective, a Vancouver-based ensemble, that performs new music and collective improvisations. Recently we performed at the Western Front and the Vancouver Art Gallery. It is a wonderful group that has more in store for Vancouver and beyond. You can stay tuned to ethosmusic.ca for future event or to check out audio from our improvisation at the Western Front. Also there is a great picture of us to see as well.
Guru Pournima
July 2, 2012
This is a picture of my first performance of Indian Classical music. From left to right you will see my teacher Smt. Neeraja Aptikar, Tabla-ji Ajit Betageri, and me. Akhil Jobanputra was also accompanying on Harmonium.
I have been studying music with Neeraja for approximately one year. It has been an excellent experience from which I’ve learned so much.
My initial interest in Indian Classical Music began many years ago while studying the music of minimalist composers Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Philip Glass, and LaMonte Young. Through that experience I stumbled uponThe Raga Cyclefeaturing the music of Pandit Pran Nath, which I still often listen to for inspiration.
Often during my years studying music in university I would become very interested in Indian Classical Music, but my curriculum and responsibilities lead me toward other things. After finishing school things have changed.
Since arriving in Vancouver in the late summer two years ago my interest in Indian Classical Music began to deepen and I began to search for a teacher. I was blessed to connect with Neeraja through her website and YouTube videos.
From the very first moments of study I realized I was embarking on a beautiful and intense journey with a kind and knowledgeable guide. Day in and day out her ability to bring such feeling to music amazes me. Never holding back, she shares all of her knowledge in an open and generous manner. She is an excellent and experienced teacher that I will always admire, respect, and trust.
To all who attended and an extra special thanks to Neeraja, thank you for making this a wonderful experience!
Debate about robots in music
June 22, 2012
Upon the release of the article about the MetaCreation Project in Huffington Post by Lucas Kavner, I began a conversation regarding the role of robots and technology in music creation and performance.
What are positive and negative aspects of including robots and artificial intelligence in music?
I’m interested in reading your comments!
Deus ex machina article by Lucas Kavner
June 20, 2012
An article about the MetaCreation project at SFU by Lucas Kavner of the Huffington Post. Check out the link below.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/20/musical-metacreation-can-_n_1610195.html?utm_hp_ref=tw
Deus ex machina II
May 25, 2012
Tomorrow night is Deus ex Machina II at SFU. Pre-concert talk begins at 7:30pm followed by a concert at 8pm.
Posts and blogging
April 28, 2012
Howdy y’all!
Just wanted to put up a quick post about a couple things. This weekend is pretty big! On Saturday night I’m going to a sweet concert featuring jal tarang in Burnaby at the Shadbolt Centre. In Sunday night I’m performing with Ethos, a new chamber ensemble based in Vancouver, at the Western Front.
Follow me on twitter and Facebook for more details!
Long blog posts are tough to find the time to work in, but there will be more soon!
Project with Fringe Percussion
April 8, 2012
I am currently working with Fringe Percussion and SFU professor Arne Eigenfeldt on a very interesting project. This collaboration incorporates software compositions created in Max/Msp, an incredibly powerful program used by musicians that also have wicked computer chops to create music. Did I mention we will be accompanied by a robot!
Rehearsals for this project started in January and will continue until the concerts scheduled in May.
Stay tuned for more info!
The start of the iPad Book project!!!
March 22, 2012
Apple released the iBooks Author software earlier this year, which inspired to create a book series for percussionists specifically designed to be used on the Apple iPad. After becoming familiar with the capabilities of the iBook Author software I decided that I needed to move into a testing phase, which meant getting a testing device. Last Friday was launch day for the new iPad and the beginning of the testing phase.
The first book of the series is tentatively planned to be an introduction to rudimental snare drumming. I chose this aspect of percussion because rudimental snare drumming is major building block for a percussionist. Basic technique such as how to set up the drum, stance, how to hold the sticks, and striking the drum will be the primary focus of the first segment. Subsequent segments will cover the 26 Standard American Drum Rudiments, reading music, counting rhythms, and musical etudes.
My goal is to create a book that presents fundamental musical knowledge in a personal way that could only before be accomplished in a face to face meeting with a teacher and inspire new musicians.
Timothy Van Cleave 