Microscopic Dances (Technophonia)

This is an example of an original composition offering new insights into the expressive potential of new technologies for performers with additional support needs. It was commissioned from the researcher by Drake Music Scotland, through the PRS for Music Foundation’s New Music 20x12 programme (a partnership with the BBC, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and NMC recordings). Drake Music Scotland is a charity that works with people with disabilities to create significant musical experiences through the use of cutting edge musical interfaces. Technophonia: Microscopic Dances uses the Skoog, SoundBeam and Brainfingers electronic instruments, and their associated software and notations, in a suite of dances for an ensemble comprising of three of Drake’s young musicians and colleagues from the City of Edinburgh Music School. The composer’s note in the score explains the origin of the work’s title and indicates how he was inspired by the minute physical movements that operate the interfaces used by the Drake musicians.Technophonia: Microscopic Dances was performed at Broughton High School, Edinburgh (world premiere); Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh; Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; and the South Bank Centre, London. The Queen’s Hall performance was broadcast on Radio 3 (27 July 2012), and a live recording is available to download from NMC (www.nmcrec.co.uk/new-music-20x12/oliver-searle) together with further information about project and a brief documentary. This output was nominated for a Royal Philharmonic Society award and a British Composer Award in the Community and Education Project category in 2013.