October 20, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The audience will have a hand in performing music at the UAB Computer Music Ensemble's free concert, "Toys by CME," at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, in the UAB Mary Culp Hulsey Recital Hall, 950 13th St. S. The UAB Computer Music Ensemble is an ensemble in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Music. The ensemble is directed by Scott Phillips, Ph.D. Admission is free. For information, contact Phillips at 205-975-8722.

On the program is the new composition "Grassroots 2008: An Interactive Musical Town Hall." Each audience member will be given a "clicker" and will respond to questions taken from news headlines. The results will be tallied instantly by computer. The musical performance will evolve in correlation to the audience's responses. 

"Grassroots 2008" is an original composition written for two computers, clarinet, flute, saxophone and audience by internationally renowned music technology expert, author and educator David B. Williams, co-author of "Experiencing Music Technology." Williams will present the work as UAB's featured guest for the concert.

With this concert's theme, "Toys," each song is based on musical instruments, sounds and experiences derived from toys and children at play. Some of the songs to be performed include "Child's Play," in which three young children play with small plastic sculptures that control a virtual orchestra. "Paint" is a composition in which sound is translated into colors on a large canvas as a child's drawing takes shape before the audience's eyes and ears. "Gifts" is a musical representation of children unwrapping presents on a Christmas morning.

The Computer Music Ensemble is comprised of 10 students, all advanced music technology majors. The students play the role of composers, musicians, actors and technicians for the concert. Music performed has been composed and will be played by members of the ensemble.