THE MUSIC CONTINUES...
Dear Friends,
A few interesting things to share with you this week. I've been meaning to put these into one of the Friday missives for a little while, but....we had a festival to run! As you know, I am keen to discover interesting articles, websites, and news items about the music world, and will continue the tradition with you as we head into the fall. That said, I will be taking a little break for a few weeks after today's note. So here are some things worth sharing!
I usually don't enjoy reading articles that are ultimately trying to sell you something, being coy about it until the very end of the verbiage. But this one is interesting, and from an audio company that I respect called Audio Engine. The topic in question is whether doctors can use music to help with precision during surgeries. Not a small item to think of! Some of the variables at play here I find extremely fascinating, including whether a piece of music includes lyrics (words), has rapid tempo changes, or if the listener (surgeon) finds the music emotionally intense or the genre unfamiliar. This is a great article - just try to forget the smartly placed "DAC3" ad embedded in their text at the very end. (Full disclosure, I own a DAC3, and if you're into that kind of thing, it IS amazing.)
Someone I've quoted in the past on this SSM blog has been Rick Beato. One of his latest offerings on his YouTube Channel is called "I'm Sorry...This New Artist Completely Sucks". It is about using AI apps to create music...this one is fun, and I should likely let it speak for itself. Thank you, Rick! One of these days I'd love to have you join us in person in Stratford! Let's make it happen!
And lastly for now, one of the choir members who joined us for our Opening Night performance of Carmina Burana sent me the following video with the O Fortuna modified with "new" lyrics. The animation on this one is questionable (ahem), but you get the idea. There are lots of these types of videos out there that use existing works and put false ideas into our heads of what's actually being said/sung. Our brains are really that maleable!! This one uses English words while the choir sings in Latin.
That's it for me for now...have a great weekend, everyone!
Mark and the SSM Team
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Stratford Summer Music is proud to thank revel, one of downtown Stratford’s favourite coffee spots, for their dedication and support. More than just a café, Revel is a community hub known for its expertly crafted coffee, fresh-baked treats, and warm hospitality. They also roast our signature blend, Plugged In—Stratford Summer Music’s very own coffee. We’re so grateful for their partnership and the way they enrich Stratford’s cultural and culinary scene!
