Invitation to join the Virtual Metaphysics of Notation

From Mark Applebaum’s Metaphysics of Notation

The Vocal Constructivists invite all interested singers to join Constructing Infinity, a collaborative series of realizations of Mark Applebaum’s Metaphysics of Notation. Go to https://infinity.vocalconstructivists.com/upload/login.php to register. You will then receive a login and the means of contributing to infinite variety.

Use #VCLegacy2020 on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook to connect with the Vocal Constructivists about Building A New Legacy.

In Memoriam: Carole Finer

Carole Finer on a Scratch Orchestra tour in Hall in Tyrol, Austria. Photo by Frank Abbott.

On 20 March, 2020, our beloved friend and collaborator Carole Finer passed away. In addition to being a founding member of the Scratch Orchestra, Carole was an extraordinary musician, composer, musicologist, and radio broadcaster. Her radio show Sound Out on Resonance FM explored a wide range of musical genres, from experimental to bluegrass to musical samples that she collected in her travels around the world. We will always be grateful to her for sharing her mentorship, musicianship, and unbridled creativity with us.

News, Summer 2020

  • In response to the current restrictions on in-person choral activities, the Vocal Constructivists are launching several new initiatives: a youth participation scheme, multiple fragmentary interpretations of Tom Phillips’ Irma, and a remote performance of a graphic score that will grow incrementally and change infinitely.
  • 7 August 2020 marks the launch of a new 7-month project, Building a New Legacy. Join us online for the premiere screening of a new interpretation of our performance of Irma, Tom Phillips’ 1969 opera, discussion of a new computer-assisted realization of open notation, and reflections on the youth project as part of building new audiences for experimental music.
  • Join us for the two-day festival that marks the culmination of this project, 6–7 March, 2021.
  • The Vocal Constructivists were scheduled to perform Treatise and lead an interactive workshop on the music of Pauline Oliveros at the Donostia-San Sebastián Musical Fortnight in August. While we had to cancel our trip due to Covid-19, we were honored to be included in one of Europe’s most renowned classical music festivals, and we hope to participate in Musical Fortnight in the future.

Walking Still album is available!

VC album logo

Walking Still features pieces by three American composers and three British composers, including our original rendition of Cornelius Cardew’s Treatise.

Want to hear some now? Go to our SoundCloud page or here to purchase the CD.