The following is an introduction to Translating the Language of Music, a multimedia qualitative examination exploring musical conversations. This four part series was created by Steven Davy for a graduate school thesis project at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism.
Chapter one features multi-instrumentalist and bassist for The Red Sea Pedestrians and The Brothers Kalamazov Jay Gavan. In an in-depth interview Gavan discusses his experiences playing bass backing up several bands and the language of music created as musicians come together from various backgrounds.
An interview with John Campos, a professor of recording theory and techniques at Western Michigan University. Campos discusses the unusual environment of the recording studio where distractions of all shapes manifest and impact musical communication.
I was allowed to observe a practice ahead of a performance later that night in Kalamazoo, Mich. with musicians Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. Also at the practice was percussionist Mike Shimmin and bassist Andrew Kratzat. During the practice, I recorded video and audio focusing attention on Bernard and Erlewine, a duo in a committed personal and creative relationship. Following the practice, we sat down for an interview.
In the final chapter of this examination, I interview with percussionist and trained music therapist Carolyn Koebel. I interviewed Koebel who discusses her engagement not only with her musical collaborators, but also with the audience.
Exploring Conversations is a platform for examining the language of music. It was created as a graduate thesis project by Steven Davy
