Just back from Sound Festival, Aberdeen where the brilliant Red Note Ensemble premiered my new piece FLOCK – a piece designed to appeal to children. The work is centred on a suite of sculptural instruments inspired by birdsong, air and flight, brought to life by a score performed brilliantly by Red Note’s Tom Hunter (Percussion), Ruth Morley (flute), and Duncan Strachan (Cello) and children from the audience playing hand made instruments, with dramaturgy by Matt Addicott.

Review by David Kettle in The Scotsman

“A 10am start meant a new work by established composer and sound artist Kathy Hinde. The bird-inspired FLOCK was intended for four-to-eight-year-olds, and clearly hit its mark with toddlers and older kids enraptured by Hinde’s fascinating musical contraptions – a swanee whistle harmonium, perhaps, or a wall of hanging piping that expanded to produce sighing accordion tones. Three musicians from the Red Note Ensemble – flautist Ruth Morley, cellist Duncan Strachan and percussionist Tom Hunter – were on hand to bring Hinde’s gentle, evocative score to vivid life. But there was plenty for grown-ups to marvel at, too, in Hinde’s playpen of unexpected sonic delights – such that the chance to get involved was lapped up. It might have lasted barely half an hour – just right for young attention spans – but FLOCK packed in charm, delight and a nicely developing exploration of birdsong and flight.“

More photos and video to follow. Pictures below by Sound Festival photographer (labelled) and me.

Big thanks to the full team involved in getting this piece up and running : all staff at Red Note Ensemble, production management by Elle Taylor and Sarah Adair, bespoke software by Matthew Olden, studio assistance by Lennie O’Connor and Dawn Giles, and everyone at Sound Festival and the Anatomy Rooms Aberdeen for hosting the premiere.