Liquid Compass

Continuing in the tradition of her innovative electroacoustic band works including Paper Cut, Immersion, and Tight Squeeze, Alex Shapiro's Liquid Compass takes the musicians and the audience on a journey that spans the mysticaland the triumphant. A subliminal connection to the sea is conveyed through the creative use of metal bowls filled with water, and flutists will particularly enjoy the otherworldly ooh-wah effect that wends through the piece.

Commemorating¦the 140th anniversary of Carthage College's wind band, this work¦migrates to different places, but never loses its bearings in pursuit of a musical true north. To perform the piece, you'll need an audio systemcapable of playing the prerecorded audio tracks from a laptop computer via a small digital audio interface connected to an audio mixer. Download information is provided in the printed piece. Dur: 9:00 Recorded by the CentralWashington University Wind Ensemble, Lewis Norfleet - Director.

HELPFUL TECHNICAL SETUP INFO!

Alex Shapiro’s electroacoustic music—in which the ensemble or soloist plays along with a prerecorded audio track—is composed with the intent of creating one seamless, sonic entity. The track is a significant, equal “section” in the ensemble, and should be played VERY audibly— absolutely as loud as the ensemble, to immerse and embrace the audience in sound. The downloadable audio files that are an integral part of Ms. Shapiro’s electroacoustic works include a mastered audio track (without a click) in its stereo performance mix, and also in a stereo mix for the conductor, percussionist(s), or soloist that includes a click track for in-ear monitoring. It is crucial that this track is never summed to mono, because panning and stereo spatial effects are a significant aspect of each piece. The materials also usually include an additional audio file which only has the click, to give the conductor the option of adding that track alongside the audio file containing both the accompaniment track and the click, for additional volume in the earbuds, or for using it by itself in rehearsal. Occasionally a second click-only track is also offered which also includes spoken rehearsal bar numbers as cues for conductors, to ensure they always know where they are in the score. It’s like having Alex on your shoulder, whispering in your ear as you conduct: a little creepy, but possibly helpful! BASIC SETUP: Electroacoustic pieces require either an audio system capable of playing the audio tracks from a laptop computer via a small digital audio interface connected to an audio mixer, or, A laptop to which USB headphones and an audio cable are connected (for use with multichannel files, explained below). The use of an audio interface is greatly preferred, because it offers greater flexibility for volume levels and audio quality.

REHEARSAL:

The rehearsal room will need a basic PA system, ideally with stereo speakers that can play loudly, placed facing the soloist or musicians. For large ensembles, place another monitor in the back by the percussion section if possible, to ensure that everyone hears the same downbeats. The ensemble will tend to follow the live percussion more than what they may hear from the stage monitors or see from the conductor, making timing and sync precision with the track a vital skill for the percussionists. It is highly recommended that some or all of the percussionists be outfitted with in-ear monitors so that they can hear the click and ensure everyone stays in sync with the track. There is a stereo performance track which the soloist or musicians (and later, the audience) hear, as well as the stereo track that includes the click heard solely by the conductor or soloist through headphones or earbuds. If desired, one ear may be left uncovered, in order to clearly hear the live players against the track. The headphones or earbuds are plugged into an audio interface that goes between a laptop computer and an audio mixer.

BONUS!

Ensemble musicians can practice Alex Shapiro’s pieces at home by downloading the accompanying audio track with the click. Please visit Ms. Shapiro’s website, http:// www.alexshapiro.org, to send an email requesting file access.