2 posts tagged “band”

as many of you know, i am a very talented half-glockenspiel player. my instrument was gifted to me by the dumpster gods from Hampshire College's Children's Center back in Fall 2008, and since then I have slowly been restoring it, building a new frame with the assistance of my advisor Greg Kline, and adding some piano felt with the assistance of my friend J Gamble. I designed and produced a custom back-pack carrier bag and have carried this beautiful instrument across six states. It has performed in two official bands ("Let's Be Friends" and "The Rockin' Apocapies"). I can honestly say that as of tonight, I officially feel as if I am really starting to understand the instrument -- we are becoming one. we are understanding each other like friends, and we are ready to continue to the next phase of our relationship, moving beyond random noises into what could maybe become songs? tunes? melodies? cohesive audio-visual-tactile art experiences?

Officially presenting, an award-winning, original piece:

"The Soup is Hott Tonight"
Performed by Aliya Bonar and Amber Phelps Bondaroff; remixed by Amber Phelps Bondaroff
July 2009

After this incredible collaboration and band experience, my half-glock and I felt more comfortable to take on new musical challenges. Two of the residents at Elsewhere right now, Sally Dean and Florence Peake, are exploring the different rooms in Elsewhere through dance and movement. They heard the wondrous sounds emanating from Amber's and my recording session, and asked me to participate in their process. I was really excited about this opportunity, and even though things are busy and crazy, I wanted to make sure it happened. Tonight we went to the third floor to the "ghost room", where past residents Derya and Casey transformed the room into a place to commune with the ghosts of Elsewhere, complete with clothing "portraits" and sunken chairs where the ghosts sit. Sally and Flo moved through the space and I played my instrument. And it was so magical. I kept stepping outside of myself a tiny bit and thinking, man this is so silly. I'm playing an instrument I don't know how to play and they're just moving around randomly, but then I'd step back into myself and realize that this was totally awesome and fun and beautiful and inspiring. We were creating this musical physical event and piece together! I felt like I could actually play this instrument! I vaguely could decide what bell to play to produce the feeling I was getting from watching them dance, and it sounded like something on purpose!

so, while you are only experiencing really half of the performance, here is another original, award-nominated piece:

"A Trio of Whispering Third-Floor Bird Friends"
Half-Glockenspiel performed by Aliya Bonar, Dancing performed by Sally Dean and Florence Peake
August 2009

Tonight when we were eating dinner, I asked everyone to hold hands, and take a breath, in honor of my aunt who passed away this last weekend. It was something she always insisted on doing when we ate together, taking the time to appreciate the food and the company and the day. Even though it was kinda silly, everyone did it -- and we even took two breaths. Aunt Elisa, I miss you incredibly. Your spirit and energy and life is being passed on to so many people you will never even know. You are an inspiring being whose willingness to feel so deeply and express that so authentically has contributed to me being able to allow myself to play a broken instrument in a ghost room installation with two women dancing around me. I feel very blessed to live in so many magical worlds and be supported by so many different families.

1. percussion-based rock-band (me on the half-glockenspiel, eliza singing, dan on the tambourine, rachelle clapping)
2. dance-troupe involving YMCA weights and mats from Yoga Room 1 (co-coreoagraphy with eliza)
3. Scout Troupe Elsewhere (everyone gets sashes and then gives/receives badges based on achieved knowledge and gained appreciation)
4. Kickball Team Elsewhere (utilizing the blue and red team jerseys purchased at Burlington Hospice Sale in June)
5. Centerpiece Competition (yet to be really fully realized)
6. North Carolina History Project (where everyone would do a lecture on one aspect of North Carolina and Greensboro history, culture, or geography and present it back to the group for a collective learning experience)
7. make lots of home-made bathing suits (yes, it's an old initiative, newly re-inspired)
8. make friends in Greensboro (become a part of this community)