Regions

In 1975-76, Stephen Jones was working in Brisbane at the University of Queensland as a research assistant in the Psychology Department.

While there two important things occurred. Firstly he began running experimental video workshops in the Architecture Department for architecture students from UQ and from the then Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT, now QUT). Among the participants were Tim Gruchy, Terry Murphy, Roger Todd and others.

The other thing that happened was that he, by happen-stance, found himself helping to unload some new audio synthesisers (two EMS VCS3s and an EMS Synthi-100) into the new studios of the Music Department. Of course he asked if he could play with them, which the Department generously allowed.

Over the following months he learnt a little about using them and also began engaging with the Department's music improvisation group, treating their sounds and feeding the results back into the performance. This led to the Regions project for which Jones gathered the musicians, a crew of video operators and a group of dancers. The AV Department of the university generously provided the equipment.

The Regions performance was recorded to 1/2inch open reel video and has recently been rescued.

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Regions

Proposed set-up

Five Instrumentalists
Three Dancers
Three Camera operators
Video Mixer
Technician

Place
two studio monitor speakers
five microphones on stands
six video monitors
three cameras
video mixer / VTR
various rostra in performance hall

Each instrumentalist, either beforehand or at the beginning of the performance chooses a position in the hall where the sound feels right.

Similarly for each dancer. The rostra could be placed beforehand and used or not, where the feeling is right.

Microphones are then moved to positions for each instrumentalist and cables taped down (being careful to avoid direction of speakers).

Video cameras should be able to move fairly freely across the space, among and around the performers.

Video monitors need to be seen adequately from all parts of the hall, (perhaps in a tower at the centre) – 3 displaying preview, 3 programme.

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The Department of Music presents

- R E G I O N S -

a new experience in music, dance & visuals
in the
Performance Room of the new Music Building
on
Tuesday 12th October at 8 p.m.

P R O G R A M M E

Improvisation I

(Interval of approximately 3 minutes)

Improvisation II

Philip Bracanin (musician), Colin Brumby (musician), Di Craig (dancer), Howard Davidson (musician), Elaine Dobson (musician), Tim Gruchy (video operator), Gregg Howard (musician), Stephen Jones (electronics), Jan MacLeod (dancer), Shona McRae (dancer), Terry Murphy (graphics and video operator), Linda Randolph Paech (dancer), Roger Todd (video operator).

This presentation explores the regions of improvised music, dance and visuals. Although the format of presentation has been decided upon in advance, specific details have not. Instead they will be determined spontaneously by the individual performers during the performance. Because this presentation is not envisaged as a formal concert, the audience should feel free to circulate quietly if they so desire, entering, remaining or leaving at will,

The Music Department gratefully acknowledges the co-operation of Linda Randolph Paech (Human Movement Studies), Howard Davidson (Conservatorium of Music), Gregg Howard, and the T.V. centre.

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