"Musique Concrete," Is The Old-School EDM | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

"Musique Concrete," Is The Old-School EDM

This year's concert takes center stage April 28. Hopefully the excitement of the impending concert season gets you through this dreary February.

55
"Musique Concrete," Is The Old-School EDM
galleryhip.com

The lights draped along the ceiling slowly fade away leaving the large room dark and silent. The audience sits waiting as sounds begins to grow from the two giant speakers on either end of the stage. A middle-aged man reclines in a navy blue theater seat with his expressionless face tilted towards the ceiling. His keeps his eyes closed and his body is motionless, except for his feet. They tap on a chair in the row below to the base that is pounding from the stage. As the beat picks up, his head slowly begins to bob along to the songs that are a part of the Sonic Spring concert, which was held at Stony Brook University's Staller Center last April.

Daria Semegen, associate professor and director of the electronic music studio at SBU, has been hosting the concert annually since first establishing it in 1974.

The concert showcases a mix of electronic dance music that is similar to what is performed in concerts such as Coachella.

But there is also a different and much older type of electronic music played on the Staller stage called "Musique Concrete."

Two French composers, Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry, created tape collages of sounds in 1948 that were considered “concrete,” or in other words, noises created by man, his environment and his artifacts, according to Britannica.com.

“It means making music with recorded sounds of other things,” Daniel Weymouth, an associate professor of composition and theory at SBU, said. “One of the things that caused musique concrete to come into being is this idea of a sound object as opposed to a sound that kind of vanishes into the air. You have this thing that’s almost like a solid object, like a brick, and you can do stuff with it.”

The room was blacked out for each performance in order to enhance the audience’s experience.

This was a very creative approach. Instead of being distracted by my surroundings, I could focus entirely on the music. Having two massive speakers on each side of the stage made it feel as if the beats were all around me. And after a while, it felt as if I was swimming through the Milky Way.

“I like it because it’s like a movie with the meeting of sound,” SBU student Samantha Birchwood said. “It’s really interesting. It was an assignment to come here for my ACH class, but I ended up liking it so much more than I thought I would. It’s dramatic, and it tells a story. I like that.”

With Spring only a month away, it's time to get back in the funky groove and rhythm that is electronic music.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

3927
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

1966
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

1478
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

1350
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments