BY MIRANDA ILCHEF
In September, the very first ZoneOut International Music Festival comes to Carriageworks in Sydney. It combines music and mindfulness in a series of presentations and performance. This unique event taps into the strains and pressures of the modern world through the artform of music, both classical and ambient.
Here, we chat with composer and festival ambassador Luke Howard about the importance of this new festival.
The practices explored in the ZoneOut festival, such as music and meditation or mindfulness, share a long history. What do you think has made these concepts last the test of time?
Instrumental music is an abstract artform, yet is capable of eliciting the most primal of emotional responses. As I heard pianist Paul Grabowsky say once, it is a window into the soul. This, I imagine, is why it has stood the test of time.
Mindfulness wasn’t a term I (or anyone else I knew) was familiar with until recently. Now, it seems to crop up everywhere. What do you think is causing the rise in popularity of mindfulness practices?
The modern world is full of distraction and modes of interaction, which can distort our senses of self. I suspect the present popularity of mindfulness practices is a direct response to this.
On the one hand, the process of music-making can be an exercise in mindfulness or relaxation. However, there are many well-documented stresses that come with being a professional musician. Overall, how do you feel music or composition affects your wellbeing?
Performing, at least in an environment and with material I am comfortable and familiar with, is probably the most mindful state I can find myself in. Perhaps recording, too.
The rest is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a great privilege to be able to be an almost full-time composer, but the financial uncertainty can indeed be a cause of stress. I think this is a centuries-old problem for composers, though.
As a young musician-in-training, I can’t say I’ve been exposed much to ambient contemporary classical music, except through my own Spotify perusals. How can we bring ambient contemporary classical music to the attention of the next generation of classical musicians?
Composers are always looking for great classical musicians, so that’s certainly one way. I’ve enjoyed playing my music with many classical musicians over the past few years, both here and overseas. It might take a little time for it to filter through into teaching — although I know, for example, the Interactive Composition course at the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is across this genre.
And finally, as you point out, streaming services make it easier than ever to discover music – look up a composer such as Jóhann Jóhannsson or Max Richter and follow the algorithmic trail!
The ZoneOut International Music Festival is on 28 September in Carriageworks. Stay tuned as we bring you more coverage in the lead-up.
Luke Howard image supplied. Credit: Jeff Andersen Junior
