Program explore songs, sounds of birds
Cellist Doug Carroll and the Redwood Region Audubon Society will present “Why Birdsong is Music — the Theory and Application” on May 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 24 Fellowship Way in Bayside.
There will be a reception with light refreshments from 6:30 to 7 p.m., followed by the program.
Carroll will discuss his theory of defining music to include birdsong and not just human artistic creation. The talk will focus on the songs and sounds of birds but also will feature those of insects and mammals, and additionally he will cover natural sound recording techniques. The program will conclude with an interspecies musical piece performed live by Carroll on cello and accompanied by recorded birdsong.
This will be the first inperson program hosted by Redwood Region Audubon Society since the pandemic, and weather permitting, it will be held outdoors, so it may also incorporate some live bird melodies.
Carroll is a cellist, composer and audio engineer whose work has spanned decades. He has performed in Europe and North America at major music festivals, and with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in the world premiere of “Ocean.” He taught audio and radio production at San Francisco State University and Menlo College. He holds an MFA in electronic music and recording media from Mills College and a doctorate from the University of San Francisco. He has recorded three CDs featuring animal sounds including “Music for Cello and Wild Animals” and has received over 1 million streams and downloads on Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music.
Reservations are required calling or texting 707-2674055 and providing your name and the number of attendees. In case of rain, the program will be held inside, where attendees must be masked and only 45 people can be accommodated. The program will be broadcast live via Zoom as well. Visit www.rras.org for the link.