convolution (noun)
general — a complication of intricacy of form, design, or structure
music — the filtering of one sound through another
The Convolution Project was launched in the summer of 2020 to explore technology in the creation of a digital choral medium. A new commission expressly for digital choir was recorded by participating singers as separate parts that were digitally processed, convolved, and combined. The resulting audio track was combined with visual elements to create a unique video performance that received its world premiere online in September 2020.
general — a complication of intricacy of form, design, or structure
music — the filtering of one sound through another
The Convolution Project was launched in the summer of 2020 to explore technology in the creation of a digital choral medium. A new commission expressly for digital choir was recorded by participating singers as separate parts that were digitally processed, convolved, and combined. The resulting audio track was combined with visual elements to create a unique video performance that received its world premiere online in September 2020.
FINAL VIDEO
The first iteration of The Convolution Project is complete!
You can stream the final video of "Reunion" by Jason Noble, with videography by Chris Vaillant, by clicking the button below:
The first iteration of The Convolution Project is complete!
You can stream the final video of "Reunion" by Jason Noble, with videography by Chris Vaillant, by clicking the button below:
REUNION, for digitally processed SATB choir
Music and text by Jason Noble
Commissioned by Choir Alberta for The Convolution Project
Music and text by Jason Noble
Commissioned by Choir Alberta for The Convolution Project
TEXT
Distance disappears in sonic spaces:
nobody would ever know we are so far away.
I can hear you through the distance,
though how far, I cannot say.
And though we are apart,
that reality is erased in the resonance we create,
where there is no more distance.
We are far away, but not so far.
Ça va bien aller.
Our voices cross the distance.
PROGRAM NOTE
Choral singers have been grieving the loss of their cherished art, with all the social, cultural, emotional, and even health benefits that it brings, due to social distancing imposed by the pandemic. We hope to use Reunion to virtually recreate some of the choral magic that singers have been missing. We will combine tracks recorded individually by singers and use convolution reverb to simulate the acoustic spaces in which choirs sing. I have tried to compose a piece that singers will love to sing, with lyrical melodies, lush harmonies, a variety of textures from delicate to rich and sonorous, and a dramatic formal crescendo. Once the singers have recorded their parts, I will use some of the vocal materials to create virtual soundscapes that are possible only with electronic enhancement. In this way, we hope to turn the distance imposed on us into an opportunity to explore new sonic spaces.
Distance disappears in sonic spaces:
nobody would ever know we are so far away.
I can hear you through the distance,
though how far, I cannot say.
And though we are apart,
that reality is erased in the resonance we create,
where there is no more distance.
We are far away, but not so far.
Ça va bien aller.
Our voices cross the distance.
PROGRAM NOTE
Choral singers have been grieving the loss of their cherished art, with all the social, cultural, emotional, and even health benefits that it brings, due to social distancing imposed by the pandemic. We hope to use Reunion to virtually recreate some of the choral magic that singers have been missing. We will combine tracks recorded individually by singers and use convolution reverb to simulate the acoustic spaces in which choirs sing. I have tried to compose a piece that singers will love to sing, with lyrical melodies, lush harmonies, a variety of textures from delicate to rich and sonorous, and a dramatic formal crescendo. Once the singers have recorded their parts, I will use some of the vocal materials to create virtual soundscapes that are possible only with electronic enhancement. In this way, we hope to turn the distance imposed on us into an opportunity to explore new sonic spaces.
ARTISTIC TEAM
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JASON NOBLE
composer + post-production audio Jason Noble has been described as “a master at translating feeling and imparting emotion through music,” and his compositions have been called “a remarkable achievement, indeed brilliant, colourful, astounding, challenging.” His work seeks balance between innovation and accessibility, motivated by a belief that contemporary music can be genuinely progressive and communicative at the same time. Jason’s compositions have been performed across Canada, USA, and Europe, and have been featured in publications, recordings, and broadcasts. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University, working on the ACTOR project (Analysis, Creation, and Teaching of Orchestration). His research appears in Music Perception and Music Theory Online, with a forthcoming chapter in the Routledge Companion to Interdisciplinary Studies in Singing. He has presented in many international conferences and guest lectures, including the International Conference on Music Perception and Cognition (2014, 2016, 2018) and the International Conference on Technologies for Music Notation and Representation (2018). |
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CHRIS VAILLANT
videographer + post-production video Christopher Vaillant is a local videographer based out of central Alberta. Since 2015 he has worked in the electronic music industry creating content for international artists and at local festivals such as Chasing Summer and Shambhala. Outside of nightlife, his videography skill set includes corporate projects, music videos, and weddings. Chris has a history as a choral musician with ihana youth choir as well as an AYC participant. This project brings full circle these passions. |
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BRENDAN LORD
artistic director Brendan Lord holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music) degree from Augustana University College, and Master and Doctor of Music degrees in Choral Conducting from the University of Alberta. Dr. Lord is recognized for his unique blend of artistic and administrative abilities, and works frequently in both capacities. As administrator, he is Executive Director of Choir Alberta where, under his leadership, the organization has grown to involve more than 15,000 Albertans annually. Dr. Lord was also the Producer for the highly-successful Podium 2016, Canada’s national choral festival and conference, and serves as Chair for Music Conference Alberta. Artistically, Dr. Lord has worked with choirs of varying ages and abilities including Spiritus Chamber Choir and Edmonton Public School Board’s All-City Children’s Choir. A regular Sessional Instructor at the University of Alberta, Dr. Lord has conducted The Augustana Choir and Sangkor Women’s Choir, and has taught courses in the areas of conducting, music theory, applied music, and musicianship. |
THE CONVOLUTION CHOIR
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SOPRANO
Ina Dobrinski, University of Calgary Chamber Choir Tammy Farkes, Richard Eaton Singers Sabina Fassbender, Richard Eaton Singers Shandi Foreman, Vocal Alchemy Ymène Fouli, Calgary Philharmonic Chorus Keely Hammond, ChandraTala Charlene Heins, Vox Musica Nicole Hounjet, Westwinds Women's Choir Andrea Laubman, Westwinds Ladies Choir Erin Masleck, St. Mary's University Choir Sally McIntosh, Belle Canto Kimberley McMann, McDougall United Church Dianne Munro, Savridi Singers Melanie Murphy Elizabeth Noble, ChandraTala Mary Phillips-Rickey, Richard Eaton Singers Emma Proctor, Youth Singers of Calgary Leslee Sanderman, Airdrie Community Choir Caileigh Sheppard, Incanto Singers Jenny Shore, Cochrane Music Society Janet Simpson, Westwinds Choral Ensemble Marilyn Smith, Airdrie Community Choir Gina Stewart, Cum Vino Cantus Elizabeth Stolte, ChandraTala Emily Stremel, Kokopelli Catherine Taylor, Richard Eaton Singers Siobhan Taylor, Vocal Alchemy Patti Vaillant, Òran BASS Aaron Addorisio, Chronos Vocal Ensemble Paul Cachia, Richard Eaton Singers Titus Chan, Kokopelli Greg Dewing, St. Joseph High School Joel Forth, Harry Ainlay High School Jonathan Page, Westwinds Mixed Choir Winston Pei, Òran Scott Rollans, Vacilando Don Ross, Vox Hominis Steve Schroeter, Vocal Alchemy Keith Van Dierendonck, Cum Vino Cantus Tom Wong, Cum Vino Cantus Eric Yang, Artio (Mount Royal University) |
ALTO
Nyanza Austin-Bishop, Cum Vino Cantus Sheila Bean, Cum Vino Cantus Madison Berger, GPPSD High School Treble Choir Amelia Chan, Kokopelli Kim Chung, ChandraTala Yolanda de Kleer, Vocal Alchemy Monica Dear, Richard Eaton Singers Janet Ellsworth, Vocal Alchemy Bethan Franklyn, ChandraTala Joyanne Fredricks, Vocal Alchemy Lavonne Fuller, Savridi Singers Trudy Grienauer, Richard Eaton Singers Debbie Heinz, Choral Waves Janice Hurlburt, ChandraTala Britney Huynh, Chorale Saint-Jean Lindsay Johnston, Richard Eaton Singers Rayanne Laycock, Strathmore Children’s Choir Guylaine Lefebvre-Maunder, Da Camera Singers Janet Lewis, One Voice Chorus Mica Marbil, University of Calgary Chamber Choir Julia Millen, Luminous Voices Katarina Moschgat, Cantilon Margo Nightingale, Yellowknife Choral Society Annie Randall, Da Camera Singers Evelyn Rollans, Òran Fran Ross, Belle Canto Alla Salakhova, Belle Canto Amy Selin, Cantilon Chamber Choir Carmel Smetschka, Airdrie Community Choir Margaret Stockton, Airdrie Community Choir Liz Strocel April Sun Gisele Sweetland , Cum Vino Cantus Judith Umbach, Westwinds Mixed Choir Michelle Vetro, Chorale Saint-Jean Allison Zaragoza, University of Alberta Madrigal Singers TENOR Aaron Addorisio, Chronos Vocal Ensemble Stuart Beatch, Chronos Vocal Ensemble Qingyuan Li, Vox Hominis Leslie Meares Mihnea Nitu, University of Calgary Chamber Choir Holly Quan, Big Rock Singers Noah Wright, Kokopelli |
THE CONVOLUTION PROJECT IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE SUPPORT OF
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