Swarm Theory

notes on my ongoing interest in envelopes, particles, and sonic imaging: a compositional process
-Stark difference between particle-theory/random motion
vs
spontaneous outflow of an organic shape in motion, as in a Picasso pen drawing.
This is rather precise in it’s shape
===============
particle accelerations
globules
dissolution theory
use MIDI note numbers for ranges of each instrument
random theory
particles are each instrument
the “skin” around the outside of each mass could be separate
organic flow of the whole entity through time: 
Zero Gravity Water Bubble

Bubbles and Smoke
This is a good representation of dissolution

2 views of Bubbles for Organic Shapes


1

2

Some More Organic Shapes and Swarms:

That combination of surface waves and body waves is like a melodic contour surrounding the contents of the envelope.
The contents or body waves are variable densities between the “skin” or melodic contours.
They can be agitated, or slow.


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on reflection of a MacDowell fellowship

Leonard Bernstein at The MacDowell Colony, 1962.
Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) was already famous when he first stayed at The MacDowell Colony in 1962.  He returned in 1970 and 1972.  “All of those times I was writing works which had, at least in intent, a vastness, which were dealing with subjects of astronomical if not mystical and astrological dimension,” Bernstein reminisced in 1987.  “This vastness is inherent somehow in this place.”

I received praise and notoriety from the award of a MacDowell fellowship last week, but I tend to see this in a different light.
I see this as a well placed bet on me to succeed, or at least produce some enduring and imaginative work. It would be a large waste of time, money, and individual effort on the part of many people involved at the MacDowell colony, if they were not exceedingly careful in selecting artists who are likely to produce, and in a timely manner.

A residency is a highly regarded and much coveted honor. To belong to this group of fellows is to sense the outside support now as well as the inner drive and passion within. My wish is that these posts, as they progress, will shed light on the “muses”, both individual, and collective, among composers.

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