Category Archives: Compositions

Seven Bird Watchers (2019) – Performance by EMEWS

Compositions, Performances

Composer: Joo Won Park

Performers: Jacob Joslin, Gavin Langley, Alex MacColl-Artrip,  Sean Monaghan

Scores and info: https://joowonpark.net/sevenbirdwatchers/

Tutorial: https://youtu.be/FK58MvomSlI

Seven Bird Watchers is an electronic ensemble piece featuring synchronized tempo change and graphical notation. The pre-recorded audio file syncs all drum machines to seven sections of accelerando and ritardando. The performers’ task is to change the parameters of the drum machine according to the notation.

Compare EMEWS’ performance with my multitrack version. I like EMEWS one more!

PS Quartet No. 2 – for electronic ensemble

Compositions, Research

PS Quartet No.2 is here! Five of EMEWS members recorded a version (Alex MacColl-Artrip, Sean Monaghan, Jacob Joslin, Ebony Swain, Gavin Langley), but four or more people can perform the piece. The only hardware needed besides the computer (either Mac or PC) is a Playstation DualShock controller. The interested ensemble can perform it with Logitech game controllers (F310 or similar on both Mac and PC) or XBox controller (Mac only). The piece runs on SuperCollider, a multi-platform audio software.

The links below contain score and SuperCollider patches. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

DropBox Link

2023 Update – Participants at Nief-Norf Summer Festival presented PS Quartet No.2 during the 2022 Summer Festival! Here’s the video.

Seven Bird Watchers – for electronic ensemble

Compositions, Research

Seven Bird Watchers (2019) for a drum machine ensemble.  For a performance, three or more drum machine players change parameters of the machine according to the score. The pulse of the drum machines is synced to a customized sync track that fluctuates seven times between slow and fast. Three percussive instruments make bird-like chirping when they are on speedy tempo.

The score is available at the following link.

https://joowonpark.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/SevenBirdWatchers.pdf

The sync signals are downloadable in the following link in three formats: mp3, SuperCollider file (.scd), and mp4 (video).

Seven Bird Watchers Performance Data

Here’s a tutorial video on how to interpret the score

 

Func Step Mode – for drum machine and mixer feedback

Compositions, Performances, ,


Func Step Mode is a solo piece featuring two instruments I love: a no-input mixer and a drum machine. The output of the drum machine feeds into the no-input mixer affecting the rhythm and timbre of already-rich sound palette. The no-input (or rather, one-input) mixer thus becomes an analog audio processor with too many knobs to control, which makes every improvisation thrilling and daunting for me. The hardware and their setup for Func Step Mode are attenable and replicable, but I think I play these instruments with a distinct voice.

Cobalt Vase – solo for drum machine

Compositions, Performances

Cobalt Vase is a solo piece for a drum machine. The drum machine (and other electronic instruments) is a musical instrument, and therefore one gets better at playing it with more practice. I did not want to operate Korg Volca Beats to record a drum track in a DAW. Instead, I wanted to become good enough to improvise, adapt, and perform with features unique to the instrument. I think I can “play the scales without looking at my fingers” on Volca Beat at this point. Jeff Mills’ TR-909 Workout, which demonstrated that how to use counts more than what you use, is a direct inspiration for Cobalt Vase.