lecture/demo & workshops possibilities

Pamela Z is available to do a variety of workshops and lecture demonstrations. She has designed and carried out numerous residencies that include: workshops exploring the integration of sound with live performance; the use of found objects; spoken word; experimental vocal work; and experimental composition techniques. Depending on available equipment, she also does hands-on workshops that involve digital sound technology. She has worked both with adults and children and, in each case, tailored the workshop to fit the abilities and exposure level of the group involved.

Lecture-Demos might include:

• Performing and/or playing recordings (audio & video) of excerpts of selected pieces.
• Discussion of methods of composing and executing the work with demonstrations of examples using digital delays, found objects, etc.
• Audience participation in experiments with timbre, texture, repetition, text, objects, etc.
• Q & A.

Alternative composition techniques workshops for adults and older children might include:

• Instruction in various digital sound equipment and software for the creation of sound works.
• Simple vocal and gestural activities demonstrating possibilities with pitch timbre, repetition, etc.
• Experimentation with vocal techniques to build spontaneous group voice pieces.
• Contrasting conventional Western music with: experimental music, sound art and music from other cultures.
• Exploration of various methods and devices that can be used to create sound pieces and performance pieces such as: scores, systems, chance vs. choice, objects, text, extended vocal work, etc.
• Exploration of the possibilities of making work without technologically sophisticated equipment.
• The creation and performance of simple or complex sound pieces by participants (depending on the length of the workshop).

New Music workshops for children might include:

• Vocal & physical warm-up: Simple vocal and gestural activities demonstrating some of the elements of music.
• Performing live excerpts or short pieces using voice, processors and found objects to illustrate various sound possibilities.
• Demonstration of sound through a game called "The Human Synthesizer" in which the students create the three main components of sound using their voices as "tone generators" and their hands as "controllers".
• Demonstration of digital processing equipment by making loops using the children's voices.
• The creation of an acoustic sound piece using the children's voices and sounds they create with objects.
• Sound and voice experiments that explore the use of "chance" in creating music.
• Helping the children to create and perform their own sound compositions using some of the tools and ideas explored.