The Rhythm of Dreaming

For percussion and laptop/electronics (SPLICE Institute 2023)

To stream or watch the concert go here

I was delighted to attend SPLICE Institute June/July 2023, to dive deep into live performance, improvisation and electronics.

As part of my visit I collaborated with magnificent orchestral percussionist June Cummings (she/they), and together we realised a new piece of music for custom percussion ensemble and live electronic manipulation.

The Rhythm of Dreaming is a percussion ensemble piece, with custom Max patch, inspired by the science of dreaming (a major theme creatively for me this year!).

The performer’s improvisations are guided by a graphic score (created using TouchDesigner) that transitions across and represents the four main stages of sleep and corresponding areas of the brain.

Parts of the percussion array may be chosen by the performer, and the ensemble is directed to be laid out in sections that represent five areas of the brain associated with sleep, memory, and consciousness.

Through the interpretative gestures of the performer and the accompanying electronic patch, the piece gradually sonifies imagery and data through undulating layers and ripples, inviting the audience into the imaginary snippets of a dream.

With huge thanks to collaborating partner and percussionist June Cummings who was instrumental in helping to realise and premiere this piece, to Creative Scotland for supporting the development of this piece through the Open Fund for Individuals, and to SPLICE for the opportunity.

To request the score and patch, please contact me

For more information on the Splice program and concert go here

SPLICE Institute 2023 Participant Concert 3 Program:
Saturday, July 1, 2023
3:30-4:30 PM (EDT)
Dalton Center, Western Michigan University
1300 Theatre DriveKalamazoo, MI, 49008

To stream or watch the concert go here