What is a Sound Circle?

I am often asked what a sound circle is. To me, it is a gathering of beings (& why I call mine The Sound Gathering), to share sound, music-making & silence. We gather to share & learn from each other. It is more improvisational in nature than formal music-making, & the results are often beautiful & harmonious.

Some people may ask how does it differ from a drum circle. I started doing drum circles some years ago, incorporating Native-American as well as African drumming sequences. But my interest in combining drumming with all other sound modalities grew as my personal sound practice grew. I now also incorporate I Ching drumming (started by Melinda "Mo" Maxfield in California some years ago, as part of her Psychology Ph.D. dissertation), all percussion instruments (wooden drums, shakers, gongs, etc.), toning, chanting, crystal & Tibetan singing bowls (one of my favorites), chimes, Sanskrit Mantra chanting, acoustic & electronic instruments, spontaneous movement, breathing & vocalizing, & occasionally my laptop (to make sounds & also record the sessions). I am often "treated" by others when they bring their own instruments, & create amazing sounds I may not have heard before. Then I want one of those instruments too!

The key is also to make the sound circles enjoyable & fun for all. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to seasoned sound circle participants, from very young children to our beautiful senior citizens. I am a little "jealous" of those first-time participants, as they will often experience that night a completely new (to them) & wonderful "shower of sound & light" :-) Every time I make sound I get to experience this as well, but that first time is priceless...

Drop me a note to share what other things you add to your own sound circles, or would like to experience in one of them.

Blessings,

Eduardo

Music & Social Justice: Amandla! DVD

A wonderful documentary about the power of music as an agent of social change. Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony is the story of the contribution of South African song & music in the anti-apartheid movement. There is plenty of music in this DVD, & surprisingly all of it is uplifting & moving. One of the producers commented that for some parts of the movie they were seeking more somber music, but could not find any! Vuyisile Mini (1920-1964) is one of the featured musicians, amongst many. He was executed by the South African government for expressing his dissent through his songs. I know of many musicians that give their lives to music, but few that would give their lives FOR their music, & freedom!

I am still going through the “extras” in the movie, including the director’s comments. There is also an interview with Dave Matthews, founder of the Dave Matthews Band, being a native of South Africa. Synchronistically I just found out last night as I was writing this blog, that Nelson Mandela was freed on a day like today, February 11, 1990. He eventually became the first South African freely-elected, post-apartheid president. I cannot but feel deeply the contribution that music made to the changed history of this nation.

Some additional websites with related information:

- Vuyisile Mini in Wikipedia

- Amandla! Singing Down Apartheid

- BBC's 1990 Headline: Mandela Freed!

"Amandla" is a Xhosa and Zulu word meaning "power", as the documentary demonstrates. It won multiple awards, including some at the Sundance Festival in 2002.

And by the way, the letters in the word "amandla" also spell "mandala" (meaning circle in Sanskrit) ...

Let me know if the documentary "spoke" to you as well :-)

Blessings,

Eduardo

Music & Dance Events @ the Dana Center for the Humanities, Saint Anselm College

I recently discovered a great music & performance arts venue right here in New Hampshire, the Dana Center for the Humanities, at Saint Anselm College, in Manchester, NH. Last Friday night I attended the International Guitar Night event with founder Brian Gore, French steel string master Pierre Bensusan, renowned classical guitarist/composer Benjamin Verdery, & terrific guitarist, singer/songwriter Cecilia Zabala, from my father’s hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Great show, great venue! The Dana Center strives for excellence & cultural diversity through their scheduled performances.

There are many great upcoming performances, including:

- Classical Dance of India: Ragamala Music & Dance Theater with Taiko Drumming
This is a unique performance that combines classical Indian dance with Japanese Taiko drumming!

- St. Petersburg String Quartet

- Luna Negra Dance Theater

So check them out if you are looking for great & diverse performances. Drop me a note if you attend one of their events, & what you thought of it.

Blessings,

Eduardo