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EcoSono
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The EcoSono Institute is an education, travel and research adventure for those interested in advancing and integrating musical and scientific work in close collaboration with environments. Participants study environmental sciences, sound art composition, computer music, and ecoacoustic recording engineering. They do this while exploring the fascinating cultures and natural beauty of the world. The Institute promotes the ideals of EcoSono's activism: imaginative sound art in symbiosis with the spaces that surround us.
Read
testimonials from former participants here.
Read about previous EcoSono Institutes here.
Study ecoacoustics, Alaskan ecology, environmental recording, computer music and sound art composition while exploring the beauty of Alaska during this two-week summer program.
Overview:
EcoSono Institute will lead a select group of participants on a two-week sonic
exploration of the fascinating natural beauty and cultures of Alaska. Coastal
and land-based adventures will offer participants the possibility to experience
the wonders of Alaska’s vibrant Chugach State Park and Kenai Penninsula
regions. Adventures feature glacial audio safari, sonic orienteering, hydrophone
kayaking, midnight sun mountain adventure, and much more. Summer in Alaska is
the best time for moose, dall sheep and beluga sightings, among many other animals.
It is also a time of beautiful midnight sunsets.
Where: The Institute will take place in and around Alaska’s
Chugach State Park, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound. Alaska Pacific University
in Anchorage will serve as our home base. We will take trips out to surrounding
wilderness areas. There will also be ample opportunity to experience Anchorage’s
vibrant music, art and design scene.
When: June 11-June 24, 2012. Participants will need to arrange
transportation to and from Anchorage International Airport where they will be
picked up by EcoSono Institute staff. A final concert will take place on June
23rd.
Program description:
The EcoSono
Institute will offer a fascinating course of study in sound and ecology as we
explore the unique beauty and cultures of Alaska. The program in ecoacoustics
and sound art will focus on audio engineering, environmental acoustics, and
ecoacoustic composition. Courses will be led by UVA Professor and international
award-winning composer, technologist and teacher, Dr. Matthew Burtner. The academic
concentration will be supported by advanced creative work, and by travel in
Alaska as we focus on the diverse and fascinating areas of the Chugach State
Park and Cook Inlet. Participants will be invited to present their own work
in the Oceans/Elements Concert, which will also feature music by internationally
acclaimed sound artists.
Facility description: EcoSono Institute will be based at Alaska
Pacific University, one of Alaska’s leading institutions dedicated to
experiential learning and environmental preservation. Participants will live
in large four or five room apartments on campus, each one equipped with a central
shared kitchen, living room and two bathrooms. Meals will be served in the University
dining hall or participants may choose to grocery shop and cook for themselves
in the dormitory kitchen. The university offers wireless internet, library access
and ample study space. Extensive nature trails around the campus will allow
participants the chance to explore independently. The campus is also located
in central Anchorage, close to all the resources of the city. Housing and dining
room meals are all included in the price. Participants should bring their own
sleeping bag/bedding for the beds, and cooking utensils as needed.
Who: People
over 18 at all stages of education and professional development are welcome
to apply. The Institute is oriented towards University students and recent graduates,
particularly those with an interest in music, computer sound, or environmental
sciences. Participants should have previous experience in either music, computing
or environmentalism. The enrollment will be limited to 15 participants. Very
limited EcoSono Internships are available for those with advanced experience
in music technology and audio engineering. For the first time EcoSono will also
support an EcoSono Performer program for musicians. Very select EcoSono Performer
scholarships are available for performers with specialization in contemporary
classical music. EcoSono performers will be featured in the Oceans/Elements
concert on June 23rd.
University credit: The EcoSono faculty will work with enrolled
university students who wish to apply for University Credit for the courses
through their institution. The syllabus for this program is equivalent to a
summer term intensive course at a Research 1 University. All participants, regardless
of University affiliation, will receive an EcoSono Institute Program Certificate
and a letter of recommendation.
Cost: The program cost of $2600 includes housing, dining hall
meals, mandatory medical insurance, and EcoSono group expeditions. Kayaks, camping
and specialized audio equipment will be provided by the program as part of the
fees. The flight to Anchorage International Airport is not included in the cost.
Participants will need to arrange travel to join the program in Anchorage. The
EcoSono staff can help advise on additional adventures if you choose to stay
in Alaska for a longer period.
How to apply: Please
email a letter of application to institute@ecosono.com. Describe your previous
relevant experience in music, technology and environmentalism. Include a link
to any supporting music, written or visual materials. Also describe your aspirations
in these areas and why you would like to participate in the EcoSono Institute.
If you wish to be considered as an EcoSono Intern, please send a C.V. and a
description of your skills and experience in music technology and audio engineering.
Include your contact information and your current educational affiliation if
applicable. If you wish to be considered as an EcoSono Performer, please send
an example of your performance ability such as a score and corresponding performance
recording that shows your ability to work with contemporary music.
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a first-come-first-serve
basis until all spots are filled. A $360 deposit will be required at the time
of acceptance. Complete payment will be due by June 1. In the event that the
Institute is cancelled for any reason, the deposit and any payment will be refunded
in full to the participant.
Download
the brochure here
contact institute@ecosono.com
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EcoSono
Institute
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In 2010 the EcoSono Institute, led by Professors Matthew Burtner and Reginald Garrett, took a group of 10 participants into the Caribbean Sea and to Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad, Curacao, Bonaire and Aruba in May/June 2010. Coastal land-based adventures offered participants the possibility to experience amazing things such as a whale audio safari in Dominica, the Pitch Lake and sulphur ponds of Trinidad, and much more.
Click here to see select pictures from the adventure
EcoSono Institute Participants, 2010
The academic program involved a lecture series on marine biology, audio engineering, environmentalism, and computer music taught by professors Burtner and Garrett. It also included guest faculty lectures on relevant topics in geography, culture and ecology.
The voyage culminated in a concert of music composed by participants and other invited composers.
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Where: The Institute took take
place in the Caribbean Sea and in Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados,
Grenada, Trinidad, Curacao, Bonaire, and Aruba. The voyage departed from Nassau,
Bahamas and returned to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Participants lived on board
the ship as we traveled between countries.
When: May 27-June 10, 2010. The ship departs from Nassau Bahamas and returns to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Program description: The
EcoSono Institute offers a fascinating course of study in sound and ecology
from the comfort and safety of a first class passenger ship. In 2010 we explored
the beauty and culture of the Caribbean. The program in ecoacoustics, marine
ecologies and sound art focused on audio engineering, environmental acoustics,
and computation-based composition approaches. Courses were led by UVA Professor
and international award winning composer, technologist and teacher, Dr.
Matthew Burtner, and by senior chemical and marine biologist, Professor
Reginald Garrett. The academic concentration was supported by advanced creative
work, and by travel throughout the Caribbean. Participants presented their own
work in the Oceans/Elements Concert which also featured music by internationally
acclaimed sound artists.
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Ship description: The M/V Explorer is a first class passenger
ship complete with an extensive library, computer laboratory, audio-visual classrooms,
wireless internet, piano lounge and concert hall. Facilities also include a
7500 square foot swimming pool area, health spa and athletic facilities, and
multiple dining halls. The ship was built in 2002 and is extremely fast (top
speed 28 knots) with stabilizers and modern air conditioning system. It is in
the 99th percentile of health and safety and described by the Maritime Telecommunications
Network as “one of the safest ships afloat”.
Participants: Participants at all stages
of education and professional development were welcome to apply and benefit
from this innovative course of study. The Institute is oriented towards University
students, particularly those with an interest in music, computer sound, or environmental
systems. Participants should have previous experience in either music, computing
or environmentalism. Very select internships were available for those with advanced
experience in music technology, acoustics or marine biology.
University credit: The EcoSono faculty will work with enrolled university
students who wish to apply for University Credit for the courses through their
institution. The syllabus for this program is equivalent to a summer term intensive
course at a Research 1 University. All participants, regardless of University
affiliation, will receive an EcoSono Institute Program Certificate and a letter
of recommendation.
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Download
the pdf brochure here.
What former participants say about EcoSono Institute:
“The EcoSono Institute
was one of the best experiences I have ever had and I feel extremely fortunate
to have been a part of it. I left EcoSono feeling extremely inspired and my
mind racing with endless possibilities of how to create art with sound. One
thing I will certainly take away is all of the connections I've made with the
people involved. The students were all incredible and each had something a little
different to offer. We created friendships that will lead to further sonic exploration
and study. The faculty was of course amazing and I learned so much from them.
I loved the things Reg had to teach us. His lectures were all very interesting
and informative and just speaking with him personally and asking questions also
taught me so much. Personally, I didn't have too much of an interest in the
compositional aspect of ecoacoustics before being a part of the EcoSono Institute,
but specifically Matthew's lectures really inspired me to be creative with sound.
That is one huge thing I take from the Institute. In general, I just feel like
I was part of something very special and I'm proud to have taken part in it
and contributed to it. Of course I would recommend it to others! “
Alana Dym
“There's a new element of fearlessness in everything that I do, and I
think that's a significant development in the way I approach ideas, decisions,
projects (and my urge for adventure). Even though EcoSono engaged our minds
and ears in the topics of field recording, ecoacoustics and composition, I think
"go out and do stuff" very accurately and succinctly summarizes what
we did and what I gained from the Institute. We had ideas, and we went out and
acted on them. Now, if I have an idea, whether it be large or small, I commit
myself to it rather than mulling over it for months. The trip--the lectures,
discussions and my fellow participants -- contributed to broadening my perception
and creative thinking. Pages in my journal are filled with new ideas for projects
I want to pursue (and have begun pursuing), and topics I want to explore.
I would definitely recommend this experience to others, and I already have.
One great thing about our group was that we all came from diverse backgrounds,
yet we all grew together through freedom to explore new environments. I think
the final push that we all made to contribute to the Oceans/Elements concert
was beneficial. Attempting to embody our experiences in material works, working
on them feverishly for two days in close quarters, and then experiencing the
concert itself helped to make what we were doing a reality. EcoSono Institute
is a unique program--I remember right before I left for Nassau, it still didn't
seem real that I would be participating in a two-week sound-exploration adventure.
There is plenty to gain from an experience like the EcoSono Institute, no matter
who you are, and I want to thank you for bringing me along on the adventure.”
Stephanie Smith
“I learned a lot about sound and recording and became much more familiar
with sound art and the concept of merging technology with nature in order to
better represent and bring attention to the environment. I definitely recommend
the experience to others, besides getting to travel and learn much about biology/environmental
concerns and sound it was a whole lot of fun.”
Anders Fredrickson
“Thank you again so much for the having me participate in the wonderful
EcoSono experience...it was truly a fantastic journey and I know is something
that will be with me for many years to come. I also wanted to thank you for
forwarding the beautiful EcoSono Certificate and also your thoughts on my material
etc...it just arrived today and was a wonderful surprise...! I deeply appreciate
you taking the time to write such kind words regarding my participation in the
program, and some of the creative works I presented.Once again thank you so
much for providing such an amazing experience.”
Daniel Blinkhorn