Bye Old Year, Happy New Year! (2017/2018)

Hi everyone!

A few things:

First, I wanted to wish you all a joyous and invigorating New Year for 2018.

2017 was one of my busiest years to date, and after failing to finish my initial update of the year, I feel it’d be nice to capture that in a more general review.

All the while continuing with my PhD studies, in January and February, I collaborated with choreographer Lisa Lonero Allen and dancers Ruby Dolman and Courteney Cox in Dances for a Small Stage 2017, as part of the Adelaide Fringe.  Our final piece, Orange, aimed at capturing the sensory experience of oranges (yes, the fruit!) in dance and music.  You can listen to the music for Orange here.

In March, I teamed up with Carclew Youth Arts to hold a drop-in workshop as part of the NeoTeen Takeover at the SA Gallery. Over 700 teenagers attended the night, many of them contributing to the final sound art piece, which you can hear here.  In April, I also facilitated a Carclew School Holiday workshop, ‘Surrounding Soundscapes’, where we developed a piece in response to the sounds of the Carclew Castle indoor and outdoor environment - grab a listen here!

I was also the inaugural Composer-In-Residence at the Adelaide City Library, where I presented workshops on field recording, sound walks and urban soundscape listening, as well worked on a new piece in response to Adelaide’s urban acoustic environments.

In May, I had the joy of accompanying an Adelaide Youth Theatre music/dance workshop with Seth Stewart, who was an Original Cast Member for the smash hit Broadway show, Hamilton.

Between June to October, I travelled over 50000kms around the US and Canada, having many opportunities to develop my artistic skill sets and networking with internationally-based colleagues and experts.  These travels were supported by the SA Government through a Carclew Fellowship, a Helpmann Academy Grant, and a Rural City of Murray Bridge Council Small Wins Grant. I’ve already written about my travels in much detail, with journals for June, July, August, September and October.  

In November, I was the featured artist for the final Soundstream Blue Touch evening at the Studio, where I spoke about my experiences and insights abroad, as well as played new works emerging from my travels.

In December, a new work, Long Island, was premiered at Michigan Tech University at their inaugural Landscape Musics Concert.

Leading a workshop on soundscape listening in the Adelaide CBD, April 2017

Moving into 2018, there’s already a lot to look forward to. I’ve got not long left to complete my PhD, so over the coming months, I’ll be sharing updates as I near completion, as well let you know premieres of new works emerging from my studies in both Adelaide and Murray Bridge.

Between 19 to 27 January, I’ll be in the band for the SA Premiere of Shrek The Musical with Adelaide Youth Theatre. I’m already loving the score and having the chance to work with some incredibly talented young people - tickets are available at TryBooking.
I’ll also be accompanying an Adelaide Fringe Cabaret show, Two’s Company, featuring talented Adelaide vocalist Ben Francis and others, bringing you acoustic versions of classic numbers from the likes of Elton John/Kiki Dee, Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers, Andrea Bocelli/ Sarah Brightman, Lady Gaga/Tony Bennett and many more.  Performances and seats are limited - Wed February 21 at 7 PM, and Tues March 6 at 8 PM - so be sure to get your tickets soon from the Adelaide Fringe website.

From 15 February to 9 April, my commission for the Adelaide City Council’s Soundscape Program will be exhibited in the City Council Chambers Breezeway between Pirie St and Flinders Street in the CBD.  You can hear a snippet of the work, A Day In An Alleyway, on my Soundcloud, though I look forward to sharing the full experience with you soon!

me, looking forward to 2018

Lastly, I wanted to thank each of you who’ve supported me over the past year and beyond in some small or large way.  In particular, there’s a number of groups and people I want to mention:

- To the SA Government and Carclew Youth Arts, the Helpmann Academy, and the Rural City of Murray Bridge Council, and their respective staffs, I am honoured and extremely grateful for the generous funding provided to me to undertake this life and career changing journey.

- To Gabriella and Vincent, many thanks for your ongoing mentorship and references!

- To my fundraising supporters, Ash Tower, Bill Gaston, Vicki Hallett, Karen Eckerman, Ros Rohde, Melanie Walters, Dawn Weyland, Sandra Weyland, Airlie Keen, Hilary Marschall, Alistair and Felicity MacFarlane, Jan and Rob Smyth, Elaine Henn, Irene Banfield, Robyn Fuller, Beth Green, Carmel Burns, Claire Williams, Helen Smith, David Letherby, Bev Champion, Sheila Hawkins, Pat Farmer, Christine Mason, Lyn O'Brien, Maureen Doering, the ARPA Choir, Mobilong Rotary Club, and those who wish to remain anonymous and those who’ve inadvertently forgotten, I am incredibly gratful for your contribution towards achieve this long-time pipe dream of mine, from which I am continuing to reap the benefits.  

- To the incredible people with from whom I learned across my trip, I cherish the time I was able to spend with you and take in your wisdom, practical insights and ethos of your craft.  To Cheryl Leonard, Brenda Hutchinson and Norman Tuck, Stephen Lias, the CITW team, my TIES friend and colleagues, Barry Truax, Hildegard Westerkamp, fellows and residents of ALN, Barry Moon, Sabine Feisst, and Liz Keim, my heartfelt thanks

- To my wonderful and generous hosts, both Couchsurfing and otherwise, Jerry, Cheryl, Brenda and Norman, Jay, Kyle, Carlos, Oscar and Michelle, Tanya and Aaron, Taki, Brad and Dave, Soli, Rich and Daphne, Donna and Jack, Geoff, Charles (NYC), Rob, Jon and Alex, Kellen, Charles (NOLA), Dave, Liz, Julienne and OD, Chris, Dom and Luis, Marco, Drew and Sean, and Jared, I’m indebted to you all.  You made my trip ever the more enriching through your willingness to take a stranger into your home, your graciousness of spirit, your sharing of local knowledge and culture, and instantaneous and unconditional friendship.  Please get in touch if you’re ever in my neck of the woods so I can reciprocate!

Here’s to a great 2018!

All my best wishes,

Jesse