AKRON, Ohio – May 13, 2015 – What does Akron sound like? The Akron Symphony Orchestra will ask every resident that question as it works with the community to create a collaborative symphony with sound submissions from the public. “Sounds of Akron” will premier at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron on April 16, 2016. Cleveland-based composer Clint Needham will lead the project, which is made possible by $175,000 in funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Related Link
“New symphony answers question: What does Akron sound like?” – by Clint Needham on Knight Blog
“Every Akron resident or passerby can contribute to the symphony even if they have no musical background,” Needham said. “By downloading the Sounds of Akron smartphone app, users can record and submit sound clips that I will use to inspire me and create the symphony.”
Akron is one of the first communities in the nation to produce a crowd-sourced symphony, a result of Knight Foundation’s efforts to bring them to several U.S. communities, beginning with Detroit. The foundation selected Akron because of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s track record in engaging the community through music. In addition, a 2014 survey by Knight and the GAR Foundation found a significant demand for arts and cultural events in Akron.
“This project allows residents to participate in a cultural experience using the tools they carry with them every day — their phones and mobile devices,” said Victoria Rogers, Knight Foundation’s vice president for arts. “We’re excited to discover which sounds participants are moved to record.”
Needham will apply software developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that collects and combines the user-submitted sounds to create music, which he will then use to compose the “Sounds of Akron” symphony. Participants can geographically tag their recorded sound using their mobile devices to create an evolving sound map of Greater Akron.
“The Goodyear blimp taking off, excited voices outside the Civic Theatre marquee or a baseball bat cracking at Canal Park are just a few of the countless potential sound submissions that can be captured and used in this symphony,” Needham said. “The end result will be a symphonic portrait of the Rubber City.”
The Akron community can start making sound submissions today by downloading the Sounds of Akron app at soundsofakron.com, the Mac App Store or Google Play Store. The Akron Symphony Orchestra is collecting community submissions until Oct. 15, 2015.
About Akron Symphony Orchestra
For over 60 years, the Akron Symphony has been a driving force in Greater Akron. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, the Akron Symphony is committed to enhancing the quality of life through educational and musical excellence. The Greater Akron Musical Association (GAMA) operates the Akron Symphony. GAMA’s vision is to be embraced and sustained as a community treasure that provides a welcoming environment for all to experience great music. This vision is realized through the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous outreach and educational programs.
About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit knightfoundation.org.
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Anusha Alikhan, Director of Communications, Knight Foundation, 305.908.2677, [email protected]
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