Planning a Tedx event, a music teacher's diary part five

200 Hands: music from the past & the future

x=independently organised TED event
How did my involvement in a Tedx event start?
How did I structure my first ideas?
How much of those first ideas will see the light of Tedx day?
Read on......

November 2012: the world comes to The Hague

Early November, my school hosts its annual Model United Nations bash. More than 700 students from schools in many countries present arguments for and against many proposals on the great issues of these days. 

My students perform Charpentier´s Te Deum at the Opening Ceremony. I am struck by their serenity and coolness under pressure and this convinces me to involve them in Tedx music in a significant way. I am also struck by the power of my school to draw delegates from far and wide. If this is how the school  hosts Model United Nations, the Tedx is going to be fantastic. Got to get my ideas clear. 

December 2012: Cards on the table

The big day: the Content planning meeting where I have to put forward detailed proposals to the organizing committee. I am glad to say all goes well and we seem to have a common understanding of the priorities for March: originality, creativity, communication and a purposeful use of technology. I am going to put my cards on the table and lay out what I hope to present in 3 months. How much of the detail of these ideas will make it through to see the light of day at Tedx?    

Here is a draft of three ideas. As I publish them in Jan 2013 I already know we have made changes, but the interest is in seeing how far the original ideas are finally brought to fruition. so here goes:

1. Live video link with a school at a remote location.

A prepared improvisation involving music students in The Hague and city x.

Previous experience of a similar activity between Madrid and London in 2004.

Status: awaiting reply from colleagues.

2. 200 hands

Audience participation and use of technology to create a unique and one off sound scape. Joint action between Music and Technology departments.

Mount light sensors on boards on the stage, connected to sound sources which will produce instrument or vocal sounds, dj beats or sound effects.

Lights are shone from behind the audience and as people raise and move their arms they activate the light sources causing sounds to be produced.

The audience will interact with the lights to create the sound scape. All audience members can participate and no previous experience is required.

3. New improvised composition for Tedx: 1,9,3,2 zero13

This composition is in 5 sections, each one taking elements of the date of the Tedx as a starting point.

Approximately  70 students can be involved including  curriculum classes and instrumental groups.

Each section involves different groups of performers until the last section where all join in. 

Rehearsals can be as straightforward as possible, starting from a clear lead sheet.

The starting point and outline is fixed for each section, and the choice of notes is left to the performers.

I edited this post on 6Jan2013