Socio-Sonic: An ethnographic methodology for electroacoustic composition

This paper outlines a way forward for an anthropologically inclined electroacoustic music. Considering the similarities in methodological approaches between the fields of ethnography and soundscape composition, this paper proposes to further the use of contextual information when making compositional decisions with sound materials derived from field recordings: a socio-sonic methodology. To begin the discussion, theoretical readings of sound in context are presented. Parallels are highlighted between the practices of ethnographic study and soundscape composition, illustrated with the work of Steve Feld and the World Soundscape Project. A brief consideration of the soundscape-acousmatic continuum with reference to works by Luc Ferrari, Denis Smalley and Hildegard Westerkamp is followed by a combined summation of ethnographic, soundscape and acousmatic approaches to outline a socio-sonic methodology for composition. Examples of work by Peter Cusack, Justin Bennett and Bob Ostertag are discussed alongside my own work Manifest – a fixed-media composition based on field recordings and interviews made at political protests in Barcelona. The potential is for a music considered equally for its sonic and sociopolitical properties

Shadows In The Field Recording

This paper considers how an ethnographic mentality applied to field recording might benefit the recordist-composer. Many practitioners in the art of field recording are currently experiencing an ‘ethnographic turn’. Recent sonic arts discourse has engaged with the artistic practice of field recording, calling for scholars and practitioners to acknowledge the presence of the recordist as an active agent in the field (Anderson and Rennie 2016; Voeglin 2014; Lane & Carlyle 2013; Demers 2009). This recognition carries with it a heightened sense of awareness and responsibility on behalf of the recordist. As in ethnography, those undertaking field recording are now encouraged to be increasingly reflexive. Meanwhile, in the conceptual ‘border zones’ between art and anthropology, Schneider and Wright (2010, 2013) write that supposed divisions between the two practices actually mask much common ground. Recent sound works located between arts practice and anthropology are shown to reveal the process of fieldwork through field recording (Karel, Cox and Carlyle) and the emotional response of the recordist (Bennett). Carioca Sound Stories presents practice-based artistic research in sound undertaken by the author in Rio De Janiero, Brazil. The work develops this interdisciplinary method further, combining reflexive field recording and ‘context-based composition’ (Truax, 2012). Gregory Barz’s ethnomusicological fieldwork methodology is key to the work, in which Barz describes field research to be ‘one of the most meaningful processes engaged by ethnomusicologists to define themselves’ (2008: 206). Carioca Sound Stories translates Barz’s concept of ‘headnotes’ into visual annotations, whereby the piece simultaneously conveys experiences in the moment and reflections gained with hindsight. This practice-based research in composition aims to develop understanding of field recording as reflexive-ethnographic fieldwork, making clear the active agency anyone has when interacting with or documenting an identified field

Recording, Representation & Responsibility: questions of authorship and agency when field recording for electroacoustic composition

This presentation examines both the act of field recording and the practice of composing with this captured sound. In doing so, the aim is to identify questions and considerations for further discussion, focussing on: a.the compositional decision-making implicit in the act of field recording; b.the socio-cultural and political implications of composing with field recordings; c.the perceived authorship and ownership over the recordings themselves, and any resulting composition; d.the responsibility of representation of the self and other(s) in composition. The results of this on-going practice-based research perhaps signify a new way forward for thinking about compositions derived from field recordings. The recordist-composer should recognise the active agency they have in the field, the responsibility of representation in composition, and equally that the ‘finished’ work is considered unfinished without the agency of a listener. All roles carry an equal level of responsibility and authorship

Concept for modifying drafting instruments to minimize smearing

Ball bearing standoffs added to drafting instruments enable the instruments to be moved about, with their surfaces out of contact with the drawing paper. This provides a safeguard against smearing of the lines

Physical activity and hypertension in South African adults

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 South Africa LicenseEstimates suggest that approximately 6-million South Africans have hypertension, with half classified as stage 1 (mild). Mindful of the cost of lifelong drug therapy, the South African Hypertension Society guidelines suggest delaying drug therapy through lifestyle modification (increased physical activity and weight management) in all but those with the highest risk. This pilot study examined the relationship of BP with physical activity and bodyweight in black South African adults employed in physical occupationsNon peer reviewe

Automated clinical system for chromosome analysis

An automatic chromosome analysis system is provided wherein a suitably prepared slide with chromosome spreads thereon is placed on the stage of an automated microscope. The automated microscope stage is computer operated to move the slide to enable detection of chromosome spreads on the slide. The X and Y location of each chromosome spread that is detected is stored. The computer measures the chromosomes in a spread, classifies them by group or by type and also prepares a digital karyotype image. The computer system can also prepare a patient report summarizing the result of the analysis and listing suspected abnormalities

Sociosonic Interventions: Distributed Authorship in Socially Engaged Sound Practices

How do creative sound practices function in the context of socially engaged art? Toward developing a practical methodology, this paper focuses on sound-led projects that stage socially engaged art practice in community settings, including some involving the author. Aesthetics, ethics and politics are employed as interrogative lenses for distributed creative processes. Methods for collaborative art-making that facilitate a balance between these lenses are discussed, with the author further arguing the necessity of artistic “disruption.” Such sociosonic interventions are demonstrated to occur most effectively when sound practices challenge the paradigm of unidirectional audial reproduction: rupturing traditional hierarchies of creator and listener

Feasibility of incorporating objective measures of physical activity in the STEPS program. A pilot study in Malawi

Background Physical activity is an important determinant of human health but it is inherently difficult to measure. Global surveillance systems for physical activity have so far only included self-report measures, which capture only a small subset of daily activity and are limited due to issues of recall bias. Wrist-worn accelerometry offers a reasonably cost-effective objective method of measuring physical activity during free-living with proven feasibility in large-scale population studies. The key objective of this project was to pilot wrist-worn accelerometry within a surveillance setting in order to inform the implementation of this methodology into the global WHO STEPS programme. Method development and implementation Accelerometry protocols were developed and deployed within an existing STEPS survey in two regions of Malawi (Dowa and Lilongwe). This also included developing training for local staff. Survey information was collected on tablets. Accelerometers could only be set up on PCs, so the protocol was adapted to do this in advance of recruiting participants. For this, an alternative Participant ID linkage system was developed to enable linking accelerometer files to the rest of the survey data. On the whole, the implementation was successful. During the process evaluation, some issues were identified. For example, black wrist straps were culturally associated with the Devil by some participants. A total of 499 participants were recruited for Step 1 and 2, of whom 446 returned for Step 3 measurements which included accelerometry. The accelerometry data collection was well accepted by both fieldwork team members and study participants, with only four participants (<1% of those eligible) declining to wear the device. There were no major technical issues with devices, although a small number of wrist straps were damaged and 13 monitors were lost (3% of deployed). Of 456 accelerometer files retrieved, 410 files (90%) could be linked to survey participants. All but two accelerometer files could be processed with standard techniques to produce participant-level summary results. Sufficient valid data (defined as at least 48 hours of monitor wear time with reasonable diurnal representation) were available for 386 survey participants (87% of eligible). Results Objective levels of physical activity in Malawi from this pilot study were about 50% higher than levels observed in the UK using similar methodology. Rural dwellers were more active than urban dwellers, particularly in the morning hours of the day. Men had higher activity levels compared to women, and there were decreasing trends with advancing age. Conclusion and recommendations This pilot demonstrated that it is feasible to implement wrist-worn accelerometry within the STEPS program in settings such as Malawi. Detailed description of objectively measured physical activity patterns could be produced from nearly all accelerometer files retrieved, including behavioural indicators known to be important for human health. In future surveys, culturally specific issues that could impact data collection should be identified early in the fieldwork planning stage and changes to the protocol made. Experiences from this pilot have led to development of software platforms that allow accelerometers to be set up from Android tablets at the point of issuing the device to the participant, which would simplify future fieldwork training and reduce risk of data linkage error