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THE ALLEYNIAN 709
MUSIC
Dr John Carnelley, Deputy Director of Music at the College, describes how the use of technology has influenced music during lockdown ‘in ways we couldn’t have imagined in normal circumstances’, adding that this has been ‘the direction that the commercial music industry has been taking’ and emphasising that it is ‘a good thing’ that Dulwich music is following suit. Over the last 10 to 20 years, the business of music composition has incorporated more and more technology. Today it would be hard to find an artist who doesn’t use something known as a ‘DAW’ (digital audio workstation) to record and arrange their compositions. The same can be said for the distribution of music. Streaming now accounts for 80 per cent of the US music market, having risen over tenfold since 2010. The shift to digital has steadily increased during the pandemic. Some Dulwich composers and artists who use DAWs have reported that the pandemic has helped them grow in their approach to music. Nathaniel Aweseh-Boateng, a Year 12 student who has been composing since 2018, says that the extra time on his hands has enabled him to try new things. He has moved forwards in terms of mixing his own songs and has found the time to contemplate his next moves as a musical artist (he hopes to attempt a visual accompaniment to his songs, when time permits). Similarly, Miles Camilleri, a Year 12 student who specialises in ‘beat-making’ (music designed for other artists to rap or sing over), says he has experienced fewer distractions while composing. He is another example of a musician using technology to make the most of the circumstances, including using social media to ‘make connections with other artists and musicians’, which he hopes will be long-lasting. There have been frustrations, of course, and this has come in the form of the prolonged absence of live music. Live performance has always been Dulwich Music’s forte. From Chapel Choir to Wind Band, the department excels in offering musical students every opportunity to participate in some sort of ensemble. But like all creative arts, live music thrives off social contact. George Good, a tuba and trombone player, has found the whole ordeal ‘demoralising’. ‘Not getting to play live with peers, and the prolonged extension of lockdown’ have caused him frustration. While he has found some respite in being able to practise his instrument more, motivation has sometimes been a challenge. Dr Carnelley also stresses that ‘the lack of direct contact between musicians’ has been disheartening; no groups have been able to rehearse this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. But the pandemic has also provided huge learning opportunities and the chance to present music in new ways. Live performances have had to be produced, filmed and edited for online delivery. ‘Video recording is much more exacting than live performance and some excellent performance and recording sessions have taken place,’ says Dr Carnelley. The results have been impressive. The Winter Concert, which premiered online on 25 November, was an
Lockdown and the fear of aerosol transmission changed woodwind and percussion playing instantly, making it very challenging to create music together, writes David Eno
impressive feat of filming, musical showcasing and social distancing. It featured a Vivaldi violin concerto, jazz from Gershwin, a rousing Beethoven double piano concerto, and much more. In the case of Holocaust Memorial Day, digital production made the experience especially moving. The Madrigal Choir’s performance provided an ethereal audio backing track to an evocative slideshow of Year 12 artworks. Despite these digital successes, now more than ever, during a third lockdown, there is an overwhelming desire to return to some sort of normality. However, even though there have been frustrations, the pandemic has given rise to things never conceived of before. As normality returns, there is a sense of eagerness within the Dulwich music community to couple the new skills and techniques learnt in lockdown with the return of vibrant live music. Hopefully, 2021 will end on a high note, allowing us all to enjoy performing music in person once more.
Throughout the lockdown period all musicians quickly adapted to having lessons online and to making recordings themselves. Ensembles were created for a virtual Founder’s Day and one of the highlights for me was the students developing the skills needed to record themselves at home, capturing their sound, with a good camera angle and playing along to a backing track. The percussionists have not been left behind: they managed to put together a samba band using instruments made from everyday items at home. All these skills would be considered essential to the modern, well- trained musician. Since returning to College in September we have been able to create year group ensembles, and I am delighted that
we were able to create a 20-piece full orchestra from the year 7 cohort. A huge success was the continuation of the established Jazz Group, who performed and recorded ‘Summertime’ (Django Bates arrangement) with the expected level of skill and aplomb. The visiting music teachers quickly adapted to online lessons and most reported that lesson attendance was higher and students were making more progress during this time. A mixture of live and virtual lessons ensured that learning was maintained. Musical life in lockdown has been challenging, frustrating and difficult, but as usual with grit and determination the Dulwich boy has taken on the challenge, learnt new skills and has adapted to this new world.
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