Susan Nares
Jonathan Harvey
Michael Deason-Barrow
Maxwell Steer
Sarah Verney Caird
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This was
Music
& Psyche's largest event since the 1996 conference at
City University, London. It took the form of a "Gathering"
with a warm-up exercise led by Susan Nares, followed by
four sessions given by speakers who were sharing their personal
experiences of their own journeys into music's inner
meanings. Each session sparked lively debate and struck
resonant chords as the testimonies below reveal.
Jonathan Harvey started the day
with "Music and Emptiness" which he
illustrated with samples of one of his compositions which
combine acoustic instruments with synthesised or treated sounds.
Michael Deason Barrow in his
interactive talk, "Harmony of the Hemispheres,"
explained how his journey had led him to look beyond the
constrictions of western tempered tunings towards others more
naturally harmonious, illustrating his points with instruments
designed by himself.
After a break for lunch, conversation and musicking, Maxwell
Steer started the afternoon with a toning session and then
used his talk "Communicating Joy - Learning without
fear", in which he explained his non-exam approach
to teaching children music, as a stimulator for a lively
discussion which followed.
To round the day off, Sarah Verney
Caird "Tuning in - Turning out"
spoke about her experiences as a Music Therapist, using extracts
from a case study to illustrate what can be achieved, and then
led the group in an exhilarating musical exercise (photos above
and below) to wind up.
Recordings of the day's events
should be available on CD shortly. Information will be
posted here.
Some comments from participants:
I have come away inspired and
enthused. LB, Sussex
Thank you for the totally appropriate grounding and warming up
exercise you set us off with. HC, Sussex
It was a treat to feel "in my element" with
like-minded people. ES, Cardiff
Thank you for a truly delightful day. I am so glad I acted on
impulse and signed up. S, Somerset
Thank you for a superb day... I learned a lot and felt some very
special new feelings too! A lovely crowd. JH, Sussex
Thank you for a most inspiring conference. The atmosphere was
super and the day seemed to pass remarkably quickly. RG,
London
Just writing to thank you for a great conference. Anon
I came away with plenty of new ideas. Sorry I was only able to
attend half of it - but very glad that I managed to get there at
all. HJ, London
All in all, it was a very special day. Much was learned, and
many good contacts made. I'm sure there will be a lot of
spin-off from it. AS, Dorset |
