Workshop on the T-Stick

A workshop organized by Research Axis 1 (Instruments, devices and systems) and Research Axis 4 (Expanded musical practice).

 T-stick and Andrew

(Photo by Vanessa Yaremchuk)

Registration (CLOSED)

Registration is now closed. For more information, please contact Takuto: takuto.fukuda[at]mail.mcgill.ca

Description

T-sticksThis workshop explores the development of compositional and performance practices for the T-Sticks—a family of gestural musical controllers designed to sense performer interactions such as touching, tapping, twisting, tilting, squeezing, and shaking. Joseph Malloch—the T-Stick designer (Dalhousie University)—and D. Andrew Stewart—composer/T-Stick instrumentalist (University of Lethbridge)—will discuss the instrument design and compositional possibilities for the T-Sticks, followed by a hands-on workshop for the practical use of the T-Stick, including how to set up, perform and notate. Finally, the workshop will include a report on the CIRMMT Student Award project, Between design, composition, and performance: expanding and embedding a high-level gesture vocabulary for the T-Stick, by Eduardo Meneses and Takuto Fukuda.

Schedule

  • 09:30-09:40 - Marcelo Wanderley: Welcome & Introduction
  • 09:40-10:30 - Joseph Malloch: Introduction to the T-Stick as a sensing object: motivation, context, and design
  • 10:30-10:40 - Coffee break
  • 10:40-11:30 - D. Andrew Stewart: x1: Performance Modes on the T-Stick Digital Musical Instrument
  • 11:30-11:50 - Mathias Bredholt & Mathias Kirkegaard: embedding libmapper into the T-Stick
  • 11:50-12:10 - Eduardo Meneses & Takuto Fukuda: Between design, composition and performance: Expanding and embedding a high-level gesture vocabulary for the T-Stick
  • 12:10-13:00 - Lunch
  • 13:00-16:00 - Hands-on workshop on sopranino T-Stick

Biographies

D. Andrew Stewart

Joe Malloch
D. Andrew Stewart is a composer, pianist and digital musical instrumentalist. A convergence of acoustic and electroacoustic instrumental praxis is at the centre of Stewart's oeuvre. His music is dedicated to exploring composition and performance for new interfaces for musical expression by adapting and evolving traditional praxis. Stewart's work asks whether musical idea – concept, theory, material, technique and means – has kept pace with developments in digital lutherie; furthermore, what are the essential constituents for creating a viable digital instrument for the twenty-first century performer. Stewart has contributed to the field of music technology through his demonstrations at: the International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression, International Computer Music Conference / International Computer Music Association, Electroacoustic Music Studies Network, Electronic Music Foundation, ACM SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Society for Music Theory, and the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition. Andrew Stewart’s music has been featured in countries such as: The UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, USA, Germany, France, Mexico, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Korea Republic and his home country of Canada.

Dr. Joseph Malloch

T-Stick
Dr Joseph Malloch is an Assistant Professor with the Graphics and Experiential Media (GEM) lab and the HCI, Visualisation & Graphics research cluster in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University. Previously, he was a postdoctoral fellow with Ex(Situ (Extreme Situated Interaction Lab), part of the Laboratoire de Recherche en Informatique (LRI) at Université Paris-Sud XI and INRIA. He holds a Ph.D. in music technology from the Input Devices and Music Interaction Laboratory at McGill University. Malloch's research focuses on Human Computer Interaction, especially as applied to creative and expressive interaction with digital tools. His new “digital musical instruments” – including the T-Stick and the prosthetic “Spine” – have been performed and demonstrated across Europe, North and South America in dozens of concerts, including at international conferences, new music festivals, and performances with dancers.
 
 

2019 T-Stick Music Creation Project

(La version française suit.)

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The 2019 T-stick Music Creation Project comprises a series of activities organized by CIRMMT Research Axes 1 and 4 that fosters the development of new live electroacoustic works for the wireless 33.5 cm-long Sopranino T-Stick. It involves the selection of 5 composers or sound artists who will be introduced to the current modes of performance on the T-Stick during two workshops and an individual working period under the tutelage of composer/T-Stick instrumentalist D. Andrew Stewart (University of Lethbridge), and T-Stick designer and developer Joseph Malloch (Dalhousie University). The project will culminate with the performances of participants' new works at the improv@CIRMMT concert in February.

Call for Composers

CIRMMT Research Axes 1 and 4 are delighted to announce a call for composers and sound artists who are interested in composing for the T-Stick digital musical instrument. This composition project will bring together five composers (any nationality, all ages) to develop new live electroacoustic works for the T-Stick with the support of two tutors: D. Andrew Stewart and Joseph Malloch.

We are looking for composers or sound artists who envision a unique project that both illustrates a wide-ranging use of the Sopranino T-Stick and seeks to expand the performance practice of the instrument. For this project, we also welcome group submissions for collaborative projects, including projects with other types of performance (e.g., art, dance, drama).

Applicants are invited to submit (1) their biographies along with (2) a one-page project proposal, identifying anticipated software requirements and audio equipment specifications, if possible. Additionally, applicants are invited to send (3) one optional sample of their music or sonic art that illustrates a concept or musical idea they find applicable to the T-Stick.

 Applications must be written in English or in French and should be emailed to takuto.fukuda[at]mail.mcgill.ca no later than October 16, 2019.

For more details on the call for composers, please refer to the pdf document: CALL FOR COMPOSERS

Timeline

  • October 16, 2019: Application deadline
  • November 16, 2019: Workshop on T-Stick (1/2)
  • November 16, 2019-February 8, 2020: Individual working period
  • February 9, 2020: Workshop on T-Stick (2/2)
  • February 11, 2020: Improv@CIRMMT at Café Resonance
                                                                                                      -----

À PROPOS DU PROJET

Le projet 2019 de création musicale pour T-Stick comprend une série d'activités organisées par les axes de recherche 1 et 4 du CIRMMT qui favorisent le développement de nouvelles œuvres électroacoustiques en direct pour le T-Stick sans fil Sopranino de 33,5 cm de long. Il s'agit de la sélection de 5 compositeurs ou artistes sonores qui seront initiés aux modes d'exécution actuels du T-Stick au cours de deux ateliers et d'une période de travail individuel sous la direction du compositeur et instrumentiste D. Andrew Stewart (Université de Lethbridge) et du concepteur et développeur du T-Stick Joseph Malloch (Université Dalhousie). Le projet culminera avec la présentation des nouvelles œuvres des participants au concert improv@CIRMMMT en février.

Appel aux compositeurs

Les axes de recherche 1 et 4 du CIRMMT sont heureux d'annoncer un appel de compositeurs et artistes sonores intéressés par la création d'une oeuvre originale pour l'instrument de musique numérique T-Stick. Ce projet de composition réunira cinq compositeurs (toutes nationalités et tous âges acceptées) pour développer de nouveaux oeuvres électroacoustiques en direct pour le T-Stick avec le soutien de deux tuteurs : D. Andrew Stewart et Joseph Malloch.

Nous sommes à la recherche de compositeurs et artistes sonores qui envisagent un projet unique qui puisse montrer à la fois une utilisation étendue du T-Stick Sopranino et un intérêt pour le développement de la pratique d’exécution de l’instrument. Pour ce projet, sont également bienvenues les candidatures de groupes pour des projets collaboratifs, incluant les projets avec d’autres types de performances (ex : art, danse, théâtre).

Les candidats sont invités à soumettre (1) leur biographie accompagnée de (2) une page de proposition de projet, en mentionnant les besoins logiciels anticipés et les spécifications audio, si possible. De plus, les candidats sont invités à envoyer (3) un échantillon optionnel de leur musique ou art sonore illustrant un concept ou une idée musicale qu’ils trouvent applicable pour le T-Stick. 

Les candidatures doivent être écrites en anglais ou français et envoyées à takuto.fukuda[at]mail.mcgill.ca au plus tard le 16 octobre 2019.

Pour plus de détails sur l'appel aux compositeurs, veuillez consulter le document pdf : APPEL AUX COMPOSITEURS

Calendrier

  • 16 October 2019: Date limite des candidatures
  • 16 November 2019: Atelier sur le T-Stick (1/2)
  • 16 November 2019-08 February 2020: Période de travaux individuels
  • 09 February 2020: Atelier sur le T-Stick (2/2)
  • 11 February 2020: Improv@CIRMMT au Café Resonance
 
 
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