Exploring the role of sound in place experience : a portfolio of original compositions with accompanying exegesis

Abstract

This por)olio of original composi1ons and accompanying cri1cal exegesis inves1gates the role of sound in place experience and the types of place to which sound affords us access. While place has been ar1s1cally inves1gated in the past through site-specific projects and the places in which music occurs, this por)olio focusses on the sonic dimensions of place to uncover how sound affects meaning making and generates place. The por)olio is comprised of thirteen composi1ons presented as scores and acousma1c works, which demonstrate how sound can mediate a sense of place not only in the experience of the surrounding environment, but also in the experience of musical works. While some projects are sitespecific, I also present inves1ga1ons into sonic landscapes and musical place in scores using soundmarks and nota1on-based endnotes. The exegesis provides an overview of the conceptual and crea1ve considera1ons of each work. I first provide an overview of both prac1ce and place-based research, and the ways in which the UK na1onal lockdowns affected my line of inquiry. I then discuss the por)olio composi1ons in light of different types of place and the key roles they play in demonstra1ng how sound affords us unique pla1al experiences. I conclude that sound plays an indispensable role in the nego1a1on of place meaning and allows types of place to intersect. A sense of place can be mediated not only through the experience of the physical world, but also through the cogni1on of sound in acousma1c and score-based work. Before providing an overview of future research avenues, I offer remarks on the advantages of ar1s1c approaches to place and the interdisciplinary nature of prac1ce. Musical processes are uniquely posi1oned to explore place beyond experiences of the physical world, allowing prac11oners to make rhizoma1c connec1ons between theories, experiences, and prac1ce-based methodologies.