Musical acoustics: Science and performance

Abstract

Musicians of the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra and their director, Jerry Floor, are staples of the Jazz Scene in the Intermountain West. This evening, rather than limiting your interest to the scientific elements of musical acoustics, will lift your spirits with the rich, exciting sounds of this wonderful ensemble. Before a particular instrument family is featured in a performance, Uwe will simply help you understand why, for example, a clarinet sounds different than a trumpet. The basic science of each instrument group will be introduced before you have an opportunity to fill your ears with the sound of that family. You will experience each family, Strings, Brasses, Woodwinds, Piano, and Percussion through the lush sounds of the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra. At the same time you will gain some insight into the nature of tone production and tone quality for each instrument, you will actually see some wave-shapes and some spectra. The evening will conclude with a number of full ensemble performances of some of your favorite music.