Musician Simon Haram (left) talks about the Moog to students Thnvir Gill, Nick Astill and Finn Berryman.
The students enrolled in Live Electronic Music Performance watched the rehearsal and then talked with musicians Will Gregory (who plays Moog Minimoog Model D) and Simon Haram (Moog Subsequent 37) about their work in what quickly became an informal masterclass at the ACO Nielson theatre in Walsh Bay.
Nick Astill (Digital Music and Media, 4th year) said it was a joy to see professional musicians rehearsing. “As a music student, part of that joy is seeing and understanding how music and people interact outside of the classroom. Seeing ideas in action that would be hard to organise yourself fuels the mind.”
He said watching the interplay between synthesised elements and more traditional acoustic counterparts was especially enlightening.
“Hearing the practicalities of the sounds mixing, and seeing the technical set up of the synth gear in a well-crafted space isn’t something you get to experience often, especially in conjunction with professionals who know what they are doing; all fantastic examples to draw upon,” said Nick, who also plays piano and does orchestral and ensemble writing.
“Talking to the musicians afterwards was great because we gleaned a more in-depth technical understanding, but more importantly, an understanding of their philosophy and approach to performance.”