Microstock 6

Since no audience members from MS 6 are on the list, I wanted to say
a few things about this year's concert. First, I am delighted we are at
6 years...not bad for us folks out in the wilds of Colorado. Next, this
year featured all local artists, and a variety of tunings/approaches.
Chris Mohr started off with a talk/demonstration of his generalized 53
tone keyboard; Chris spent 20 years writing/recording his 12 tone opera
(with one 19 tone and one 34 tone piece as well), "In the Realm of the
Shadow" (which will be released on Naxos in Feb 2001), and plans to
spend the next 10 years writing a 53 tone oratorio..I am sure he will.
Next, Harry Grainger, playing Electronic Wind Instrument with midi
accompaniment ( with Barb Halladay, vocal), premiered his piece "Bitch
Slap the Hoot," which moved from 12 eq to Tibetan to Pierce-Bohlen and
back...a fascinating contrast. This was followed by Ernie Crews, playing
waterphone, a most unique instrument which produced truly otherworldly
sounds...the hall was transfixed. Ernie finished with a brief solo on
his wife's aluminum mixing bowl. Ernie and Starrett then did a duo
improv, featuring Starrett on fretless bass, and Crews on Jew's
harp...rather humorous, and a nice change. After this, I joined them for
Starrett's piece, "Dance of the Mermaids," which had John playing
harmonics on the bass, and my 19 tone guitar, with Ernie on waterphone.
After a break, I began with my first fretless piece (electric
guitar), with a tuning of 1/1, 5/4, 3/2, 7/4, 35/32, 21/16...it was
improvised from motives which I composed the week before...fretless is a
hoot, and I plan on doing much more with it. Then, Yoko Hiraoka did a
mesmerizing traditional Japanese piece, featuring her singing and koto
playing...Yoko is a master, and has a lot of depth. After her solo, we
performed "Sakura" together, with my fretless acoustic guitar tuned to
her Japanese pentatonic scale..this was totally improvised. And, to end
the concert, we did "34 Steps," from my "Acoustic Stick" CD...Yoko tuned
the koto to 34, and played absolutely amazing lines.
We had about 75 people, including a number of young guitar
students...the most encouraging development this year was that Creative
Music Works produced the show, which meant I could concentrate on my
music instead of the business...an enormous relief. And, it looks like
they might pick it up next year as well. The problem with being out
here, of course, is that we don't have access to all you coast
fellers...we want to get more folks from around the world involved, and
have already talked to a well known LA performer who has expressed
interest in coming out...I hope to make it happen.
I am pleased with the way things are happening around the country,
with Reinhard's monster fest, Schneider and crew in LA moving along, and
a fest next year in El Paso...very encouraging. Hope it continues to
spread, and I believe it will...Hstick

Congratulations Neil, sounds like another great show; the koto in 34
<!>, awesome...

Also I'd like to wish everybody here who will be contributing to this
weekends mammoth microthon a big ol' heartfelt good luck -- GOOD LUCK!

My hat's really off to folks like Johnny and Neil who bring these
types of microtonal events to life year in and year out...

Bravo!

-- Dan Stearns