Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
28/06/2009
Stone Age Flute
At least 35,000 years ago, in the depths of the last ice age, the sound of music filled a cave in what is now southwestern Germany, the same place and time early Homo sapiens were also carving the oldest known examples of figurative art in the world. Music and sculpture — expressions of artistic creativity, it seems — were emerging in tandem among some of the first modern humans when they began spreading through Europe or soon thereafter.
Archaeologists Wednesday reported the discovery last fall of a bone flute and two fragments of ivory flutes that they said represented the earliest known flowering of music-making in Stone Age culture. They said the bone flute with five finger holes, found at Hohle Fels Cave in the hills west of Ulm, was “by far the most complete of the musical instruments so far recovered from the caves” in a region where pieces of other flutes have been turning up in recent years.
(more…)
Tags:bone flute, France, last ice age, Neanderthal, Nicholas J. Conard, University of Tübingen, world’s oldest flute
Posted in Music | 1 Comment »
18/06/2009
S&G perform in Auckland, NZ
Simon & Garfunkel Reunite,… & Ignite
Simon & Garfunkel kicked off their 2009 tour in Auckland New Zealand last weekend, and the author and his wife were fortunate enough to be there. The second of two sell-out shows had four standing ovations. The duo performed from 8PM to past 10PM without an intermission. The two did take turns doing solo time on the stage to perform songs from their time apart. They were visibly moved by the audience’s enthusiasm. The concert was held at the Vector Stadium in downtown Auckland. I had to pinch myself, to make sure I was really seeing and hearing them in person. These iconic performers and songwriters of course played America, Kathy’s Song, Homeward Bound, The Boxer, Bridge over Troubled Water, The Sound of Silence and Mrs. Robinson. Their contribution to a generation’s values and foresight is significant, but you’d never know it seeing them on stage. They were as humble as the local musician on a street corner.
Tags:Auckland, Reunite, Simon and Garfunkel, transformational music
Posted in Inspirational People, Leadership, Music, New Zealand, Spiritual | Leave a Comment »
25/05/2009
Fair Trade – Buying Instruments in Peru
Chromatic, Curved Zampona
I’m in cusco, and I found your website while searching for how to shop ethically while in Peru. I am particularly interested in musical instruments. Do you have any reccomendations or contacts you could share with me?
Thanks,
Ben E.
Dear Ben,
I will put you in touch with Guillermo Seminario, the musical director of Chimu Inka in Cusco.
There are a two things to consider when purchasing instruments in Peru, 1. Buying locally, and 2. quality:
First, regarding Fair Trade, the only thing to watch out for are guitars that may be manufactured in China, otherwise all other guitars, and all zampoñas and flutes will be either be made locally in the town or village, or on the coast such as Lima or Trujillo and shipped up to the mountain Gringo Trail towns in Peru.
Quena by Guillermo Seminario
Regarding quality, there are tourist grade instruments and professional grade which are calibrated at 440 hz (concert pitch) by the maker. And even with pro grade, it can be difficult to know you’re really getting concert pitch instruments unless you happen to carry an electronic tuner with you.
Guillermo Seminario, USA/Peru Music Exchange and Cusco Music Exchange Program Director for Mountain Spirit Institute, makes all his own flutes and zampoñas, and a cousin of his is in the charango manufacturing business on the coast.
I showed him a cheap version of a chromatic double row zampoña which I purchased in Bolivia, and he made a professional grade one, improving on the one I showed him. It’s top-notch and a real work horse, sound great, has a good tone and is made with spirit. It’s featured on our website’s fair trade page. (more…)
Posted in Fair Trade, Inbox, Music, Peru | 2 Comments »
19/03/2009
Extended Family's Mosaic & Feet
The Northfield Conference is the longest continuously running spiritual conference in the country. Started at the turn of the last century, it has developed into a strong network of devoted friends and colleagues and extended family. It’s one of the few instances where I saw whole families and people of of all ages being and acting like a true community. Many of the adults there now were children and then teens who grew up attending the annual conference held in Northfield, Mass every June or July. There is a morning meeting, then right after, small groups called families get together to debrief lives and share whatever is on the participants’ minds. At the end of our meeting we all felt like doing a goodbye group hug/”jelly roll” in which I was the lucky receipient of being in the middle. In the afternoon, after lunch there’s a plethora of workshops and activities, from painting and yoga to dance and informational lectures or discussions on everything from global warming to composting and family communication. After dinner, there is usually an non-denominational evening service in the Northfield Chapel. I got the play the 12-foot concert grand piano at one event there. That was fun. Around 7 PM, different activities may happen such as a talent show, or coffeehouse, or games, lots of games, in which children of all ages participate.
Getting stuck in the middle of a group hug
If you’d like to inquire about the Northfield Conference, check out their website. First time participants get a free ride, all expenses paid, if they give some sort of workshop in exchange. It’s a way of getting more people to check out the conference. If I weren’t in New Zealand, I’d be there this spring. If you decide to attend, you won’t be disappointed.
Tags:Dexter R. Richards, ecospiritual psychology, Experiential Education, Group Dynamics, Holistic Living, Mountain Spirit, Mountaineering, mtnspirit.org, New Hampshire, Randy Richards, Spiritual, Sustainability, Sustainable Communities, The Northfield Conference, True Community
Posted in Health, Holistic Living, Inner Work, Inspirational People, Leadership, Music, Service, Spiritual, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
18/03/2009
Animal-Guitar Lover
Another Study proves it, animals like music. Well, it’s not an official study, but an observation over the years. Watching birds come to the watering hole outside of Sedona Arizona years ago when I played my Native American Flute, and most recently-
Pied Kea Piper
I was playing my little Indian flute, which cost all of two dollars, and a Kea at French Ridge starting coming around, and singing on the off beat. He was perched on the roof for the longest time while I stood below, outside the hut looking up at him as I played.
I brought my “glacier guitar” up the crazy French Ridge Trail. (Maybe it was me that was crazy).
My Alpine Parrot Audience
So I put it to good use, and attracted three kea who stood and listened for about 15 minutes. Again they would caw on the off beats when I’d hold a measure or two for them. We all had a grand time.
Tags:adventure travel, Dexter R. Richards, ecospiritual psychology, Experiential Education, Guitars in the mountains, Holistic Living, Kea, Mountain Spirit, Mountaineering, mtnspirit.org, Music Therapy, New Hampshire, New Zealand, Peru, Randy Richards, Spiritual, Sunapee, Sustainability
Posted in Climb/Ski/Mntneering, Holistic Living, Music | 1 Comment »
11/02/2009
Chimu Inka in Bristol, NH Fall'08
The Andean Folklore music band from Cusco Peru, Chimu Inka, headed by Guillermo Seminario and joined by Wachi Taype and Mario Montalvo visited the USA in September and October of 2008. Their tour was a success beyond measure. They touched our New England communities with their grace, professionalism, humor and warmth.
The group’s schedule was packed from beginning to end, and venues were calling asking for them to play at the last moment. Unfortunately we were only limited by the number of days in a week, and our energy. MSI Director Randy Richards hosted the trio at his home in Sunapee, and although they based out of Sunapee, aside from the engagements there, they didn’t spend a lot of time in town.
Chimu Inka in Bennington, VT Fall'08
The group covered Bennington and Montpelier Vermont to Gorham NH and Sturbridge Mass. They played universities, schools, coffeehouses and even one bar. According to Director Randy Richards, it was “mission acccomplished” at the end of the tour. “We definitely connected people to each other through this music exchange, and to themselves through the power of the music and the performances,” said Richards.
For more information on their tour in 2010, their hosting MSI participants in Peru July 2010, see their webpage at www.mtnspirit.orgor their blog at www.chimuinka.wordpress.com
Tags:adventure travel, Agusto Taype, Bob Stremba, Brenda Dowst, Chimu Inka, Cindy Heath, Craig Cimmons, Dexter R. Richards, ecospiritual psychology, Experiential Education, Guillermo Seminario, Holistic Living, Mario Montalvo, Mountain Spirit, Mountaineering, mtnspirit.org, Music Exchange, New Hampshire, Peru, Peruvian Folklore Music, Randy Richards, Spiritual, Sunapee, Sustainability
Posted in Holistic Living, Music, Peru, South America, Spiritual | Leave a Comment »
23/11/2008
By Brenda Dowst,
MSI Board Member
Pictou, Nova Scotia
The potential for making great connections is everywhere, and I seem particularly attracted other music lovers. Just before I returned to New Hampshire from Nova Scotia, about a week ago, I met Mike Cheney. Mike was playing a gorgeous Native American two pipe flute at a local craft fair at his display of some thirty handmade wooden flutes. We spent about 1/2 hour talking, listening,handling the flutes and learning about his interest in Native American flutes. Mike lives in what Nova Scotian’s refer to as the “Valley” on the Bay of Fundy. He is a delightful person, an excellent performer and a superb flute maker. I gave him our web address and told him about the Chimu Inka’s tour. He expressed an interest in being associated with Mountain Spirit Institute, and making a connection with the Chimu Inka flute players. I suggested we exchange links to each of our web sites. His web address is: www.northmountainflutes.com. We talked briefly about how to include music on our web site and Mike suggested a video clip of the Chimu Inka as a beginning. I wanted to purchase one of his flutes, but just couldn’t make up my mind about which one. Mike is in the process of producing his first CD, and I can’t wait to hear it. He is a trained piano player and has a deep understanding of the role that music plays in our health and well being.
Tags:adventure travel, Brenda Dowst, Dexter R. Richards, ecospiritual phsychology, Experiential Education, Holistic Living, Mountain Spirit, mtnspirit.org, Nova Scotia, Peru, Pictou Harbor, Randy Richards, Spiritual, Sunapee, Sustainability
Posted in Music, Spiritual | Leave a Comment »
02/11/2008
Snatam Kaur’s Music crossed our paths of by way of Amanda Hamilton. A gift it is. Below is an article on Snatam by Alan di Perna, writer for Yoga Journal, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World. Her music goes right to your soul. The flowering of human consciousness is no doubt in full swing. Just listen to “By Thy Grace” on her website, http://www.snatamkaur.com/,(Track 4), and you decide. Enjoy and be at peace
Chant Enchantress: An Evening with Snatam Kaur.
Concert, chantfest, musical group meditation, a yoga class in melody . . . how best to describe a live performance by Snatam Kaur and her band? (more…)
Tags:Meditation, Mountain Spirit, Music, Snatam Kaur, Spiritual, Spiritual Music
Posted in Holistic Living, Inner Work, Music, Spiritual, Sustainable Living/Communities | Leave a Comment »
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