Soundscape: Trains and nature in Karelia

Karelia Train Soundscape (13:11) Although this video was filmed with train enthusiasts in mind, it is also interesting to those who study soundscapes. The interplay between the natural environment and the passing of trains in the Karelia region of Russia is quite fascinating. Karelia is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance for Finland, Russia, and Sweden. This is a nicely produced video. Source: YouTube

Soundscape: Changeringers Christ Church, Victoria, B.C.

Changeringers of Christ Church (3:49) James Green sets out to find who makes the bells toll at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The traditional term for bellringers is "Changeringers". On most Tuesday evenings throughout the year, the local ringers practice for two hours, beginning at 7 p.m. The Cathedral bells are rung every Sunday, for about half an hour before each of the two principal morning services. The bells are also usually rung on New Years Eve, Victoria Day and Remembrance Day (muffled). They are rung on request for weddings and funerals (when it is customary to muffle the sound of the bells) and for other special occasions.  Visitors are welcome to climb 71 steps to watch during Sunday-morning ringing, and for the first hour of practice nights. Source: ShawTV and YouTube.

Research: Acoustic Mapping of Fish Schools

Designed For Listening (2:24) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Survey Vessel (FSV) Oscar Dyson is very quiet while underway, allowing scientists to detect faint echoes from fish schools and other marine life, with little interference from ship noise. Source: YouTube

Project: Bologna Soundscape

Project-Teaser (:45) A video teaser about an April, 2013 Bologna Soundscape workshop organized to produce a sound map of the historic center of the city with the help of workshop participants. The result of the mapping to be made available online at archivioitalianopaesaggisonori.it.

Noise Issue: Brazilian Cities and Sound Pollution

Noise Pollution (2:13) This Portuguese language TV news report addresses the problem of urban noise that disturbs an estimated 40% of the population who suffer from sleepless nights. Traffic, emergency vehicles, air flights, and other acoustic events are the blame. In the state of São Paulo, the police receive some 3500 calls every day because of noise issues. Source: Journal Nacional.

Project: Save The TANK

The Tank (3:25) The tank is an acoustical marvel, a spiritually altering experience found nowhere else on earth. A 60’ tall, 30’ across rusted steel water tank – never used – was discovered in Colorado by sound artist and sonic thinker Bruce Odland in 1976. A small group of musicians has been recording there ever since. It is a sonic wonder with a shifting, swirling reverberation longer. 

Note: This video is part of a Kickstarter project to raise funds to save the Tank. It is included in this directory because of its unique acoustic characteristics and uses by sound artists.  Source: Kickstarter

Project: Crowdsourcing the Quiet

Crowdsourcing (1:40) "Some people think cities are only places of noise," Jason Sweeney explains, "but I think they have the potential to provide both chaos and calm." 

It's much easier to find noise, at present, but Sweeney and his team of designers and artists are trying to change that through the Stereopublic project. With support from City 2.0 Award and the Creative Australia initiative, they will build an online space--likely web and smartphone based--where people can essentially geo-locate and crowd-source quiet spaces. Source: YouTube and TEDX

Soundscape Installation: Music and Torchlight at the Pitt

Music and Torchlight (5:17) On Friday November 23rd 2012, the galleries of the Pitt Rivers Museum (Oxford, UK) were plunged into evening darkness and bathed in Bayaka music and sound from the Central African Republic. Visitors were given torches (flashlights) to explore the galleries that were transformed into a rich forest soundscape with sung fables, snatches of laughter, beautiful variations on harps and flutes, and the stunning polyphonic singing of Bayaka women. Source: Vimeo.