Douglas Babb presents....

SOUNDBYTES is an electrifying multi-media performance that explores the realms of electronic music technology, computer-assisted composition and the aural palette of animal, man-made and Nature's sounds. Douglas Babb's mastery of the synthesizer, guitar and virtual composition is showcased in this humorous, high energy and easy to understand interactive presentation.

SOUNDBYTES performances feature a custom designed Macintosh computer based virtual band and recording studio! Equipment includes several synthesizers, electronic percussion, samplers, a guitar and unique software.

A projection system enables Babb to display the entire show onto an enormous presentation screen and an interactive light show provides stunning visual interpretations of the live music!(Upon Request)

SOUNDBYTES 2 defines the computer musician's role in creating popular music, sound effects for movies, theater and video games, and positions the internet as the new frontier in music. Career opportunities are presented through audience participation.

Drawing upon over 30 years of experience with Young Audiences and thousands of live performances, Babb inspires audiences of all ages in venues of all sizes. SOUNDBYTES reveals the curriculum connections to music and technology and offers assemblies, student workshops and teacher in-service as well as residency opportunities and site specific projects. A list of music education web sites is provided and free demonstration software will be available

A terrific way to follow a SOUNDBYTES assembly/performance is with a hands on workshop. Students are encouraged to ask questions and get a closer look at the equipment and software. Performer Douglas Babb will present grade specific activities and concepts that are more suitable for smaller class sizes.

Workshops may be designed for a wide variety of topics including: General Music, Language Arts, Introduction to MIDI, Technology, Composition, Physics and Science of Sound, Computers, Geography, etc. Two popular offerings are described below.

Make A Song: Students in grades 3-12 are encouraged and guided as they make their own song. Using techniques developed during years as an artist in residence, Douglas Babb will involve a class in the imaginative and demanding process of creating music. Students will select between musical styles and will be offered a range of choices including Tempo, Instruments, Sampled Sounds and Special Effects. Each class will record several tracks, produce, and mix down the song using Babb's virtual studio. Finally, each school will receive a CD of the completed project!

Tell A Story: Before movies and television, people would listen to stories on the radio. Students in grades 3-12 will write, script, produce and record their own tall tales in the style of the mystery adventure, a suspense thriller or even the ground breaking War of the Worlds! Working with the music and/or creative writing and English teachers, classes should do research into the Golden Age of Radio and learn the basics of scripting. Participating schools will receive a list of dozens of sound effects such as rain, wind, dog barking, car sounds, foot steps, etc. The number of actors, plot, narration and accompanying sounds are up to you. Douglas Babb will use his virtual sound stage to help the students realize the finished project. Finally, each school will receive a CD of the completed project! Participants will be encouraged to share the excitement by "broadcasting" the story over the school Public Address speaker system.

Students should be given an opportunity to complete the process by designing graphics, cover art and marketing for their "New Release" in related classes such as Visual Arts, Language Arts, Computer Graphics and Business. Some schools may consider creating a music video of the process and final project. Submissions may also be posted on the web.
* Note: A CD may be ordered upon request for an additional fee.

To schedule a performance and workshops, contact:

Douglas Babb @ 317-506-0669