Excited to share that Songs of Hope will be launching at Tête à Tête: The Opera Festival London with the premier, on 29th August 2023 (save the date). I will be hosting an audio walk using echoes xyz software to download for free in advance. Songs featuring Gweneth Ann Rand and Allyson Devenish, with words by Oge Nwosu, Ahed Al Hamwi, Katie Colombus, Teresa Howard and music by me. The audio can only in heard within the GPS locations, and listeners will be guided through the walk, and how to use the device on the day – bring your own mobile phone and headphones ! This will also be a chance to meet and talk about the project.
After a successful launch in London, Songs of Hope audio walk is coming to Dorset 20- 24th September. Download the walk on echoes.xyz and follow the flags on site using GPS to guide you. Here is a trailer to give you a taste of what is in store:
I am excited to share that I have been selected as part of the EMS residency in Stockholm. I will be able to work with the amazing halldorophone (as used by the brilliant Hildur Guðnadóttir) in the studio, and explore new work and experiment with new sounds!
I have now uploaded a link to the short film of the micro opera DETRITUS music by me and words by librettist Oge Nwosu on Vimeo. You can find the link here:
The performance took place at St. Pancras International Station, 8th March 2022 featuring Blaise Malaba (Bass) and solo violin by Anna Bleuvich from Casco Phil. The event was part of Lost and Found, Trains and Tracks part of Europalia Festival. Commissioned by The Royal Opera House.
Thanks to an Arts Council Developing my Cultural Practice award in 2021 I was able to gain experience and support from mentors such as Gweneth Anne Rand, coaching from Angharad Cooper and project management skills from Gillian Taylor to enable me to gain this amazing opportunity. Special thanks go to the team at Engender (ROH) the JPYAP (ROH) Casco Phil. Curated Place, Europalia Festival, Muziektheater Transparent.
Since January 2021 I have been collaborating with Dynamic Dunescapes, National Trust and members of EAP research collective to work on making a sound walk to raise awareness of the national Dynamic Dunescapes project.
This has then transformed into a live event as part of the Planet Purbeck Festival, and I will be presenting my original compositions and interviews along with Adrian Newton, and Environmental Scientist who has made hidden environmental sounds, and Matt Shaw whose poems and sound scapes combine to make a unique listening experience on Thursday 23rd September.
I was fortunate to meet Julia Galbenu who works for Dynamic Dunescapes, and is based at Studland, Dorset (National Trust) in January, with the Environmental Arts Practice Research group in January, over Zoom. Since then we have been collaborating with various members of the group to make work connected to the Dynamic Dunescapes national project ‘rejuvenating some of England & Wales’ most important sand dunes for people, communities and wildlife’. Tom Clarke (National Trust Studland and EAP member).
Collaborations I have been involved with include a geo located walk using Echoes XYZ software,
https://dynamicdunescapes.co.uk/dune-soundwalks-at-studland-bay/ that can be downloaded on mobile phones and devices using an app which takes you on a walk, where at various locations you can hear sounds, including hidden environmental sounds and interviews and music aimed at highlighting the dunes biodiversity and ways to keep the dunes healthy and dynamic for future generations.
This Thursday September 23rd 2021 Adrian, Lynn, Matt and I will be hosting a live sound-walk to accompany this virtual sound walk, with live sound and real time listening, along with pre-recorded sounds. Part of Planet Purbeck to raise environmental issues join us at 2pm or 4.30pm on Studland and visit the website for more information and tickets. https://dynamicdunescapes.co.uk/event/soundwalk-studland/
Laura Reid Composer 