unclechristo | Hands Off 2011 Theremin Symposium

I went to Scarborough for a long weekend to take part in the theremin symposium. 25 thereminists came from all over - USA, Germany, France, Holland, Switzerland, UK, Russia, Sweden. Too much to tell, really so I'll lay out the basics. There were...

1. demonstrations - of theremins and techniques and a kit one from Moog/Source Distribution, Burns theremins and several artists

2. lessons - I booked 30min private theremin lessons with Lydia Kavina and Barbara Buchholz - much more useful than I expected - they pointed out some things I could do to improve my technique - mostly in the volume hand and in my vibrato technique. Still much to learn and perfect.

3. technical wizardry - master technician Thierry Frenkel added one of his volume mods to my Etherwave pro and a bass mod to my Etherwave standard and tuned and serviced htem - WOW! like 2 new instruments - well ..better than new! Huge difference in both! I also got ALL my electronic kit PAT tested.

4. workshops - I joined Barbara Buchholz's improvisation workshop

5. concert - took part in a concert at the Spa Theatre - main slots from the pro thereminists and slots from some others - I did a 5min solo flight piece from the balcony - and then we reconvened the Theremin Orchestra - 17 theremins working on a graphic score piece devised and directed by Lydia Kavina - it went really well.

6. socialising - chatted to folks thru the weekend at breakfast, & lunch - missed some of the night gatherings as I was pretty tired by the end of the day. - not used to waking early in the morning for breakfast. Was nice to meet some new (to me) faces and to have longer chats with thos I had met at past Hands Off. On the Friday there was a performance by Mr Underwood of Steve Reich's Pendulum Music adapted for 4 optical theremins & 4 torches after the meet & greet meal. All the people were very pleasant - there was no competetiveness. Aside from the classical thereminists, all musicians were following their own path musically.

All in all I had a great time - thanks to Anthony Springall & Gordon Charlton and their team for organising a great event.

Sounds a bit dry on reading the above - I'm still a bit tired from it all.

My photos from Hands Off 2011 are here