YC Podcast

So Mike and I were talking about the possibility of doing a podcast on a sort of regular basis. And, I know the idea has supporters and if anyone else is interested they can please say so here.

My idea is like so:

A less than 45 min podcast with basically pieces selected out of the forum. I'm willing to put the whole together on my own if there are no other interested parties. I would also like to talk a little in the podcasts, and comment on some music issues, forum topics and stuff that may be of interest. A little like a summary of what's going on + music to go with it.

If possible it'd be great if there'd be a way to do interviews too and include'em on the podcast. Though, I'm not sure how that'd work (recording from skype?... lol, internets.)

The benefits of all of this would be pretty obvious, I think.

Plus, we can have it so the podcast is downloadable as soon as it's available from the forum itself, anyone who doesn't have RSS, itunes, etc etc won't miss out.

A problem is, YC has a whole load of midis and such other stuff. If something like this gets done, I'd rather not put midis on the shoutcast if possible for the sake of avoiding anyone feeling sorry for themselves for not being able to do a proper rendering. So, the number of things the first podcasts will include is going to be pretty limited to whatever recordings are actually on site that are presentable (even a digital rendition that isn't a midi is preferable...)

If nobody really cares to hear midi on the podcast, I suppose it's no problem. But, if anyone wants something at least better-sounding, we need to volunteers to help do renditions of midi in better-fitted digital instruments as the requests or program is decided.

And composers have to actually OK their stuff to be on the podcast. I'd rather not just grab stuff that's laying around for broadcast, though in theory if they're putting it on the forum already...

Overall, it's a bunch of work, but with some organization and goodwill it can work.

Very good idea. I, for one, would love to listen to it.

I do say, however, that MIDIs should be discouraged, unless the pieces is really, really, really good. It's just too low quality.

I know that most people here may have problems getting their stuff performed, so some compromises may be necessary, but MIDIs are painful. I purposely refused to post a MIDI of my waltz and resorted only to posting a pdf and the live recording.

Good idea. Run with it.

The midi problem could be solved by someone rendering it for you. Although then we need that 'someone'.

That's what I was thinking, Saiming. I have the hardware for rendering large orchestral pieces and whatnot, but not necessarily the time nor knowledge in tweaking the output to sound real.

Small pieces would be fine, but the amount of work it would take to render a large pieces would make it not worthwhile.

I think that each week/month there should be a featured composer section with around 15 mins of music/chat/interview or something.

You also HAVE to have a forum news section where comments on serious discussion are punctuated by the sound of holy hand grenades and warfare.

I like the concept of interviews for the podcast. Like the old interview thread, but with audio.

We'd have to pick an interviewer though. I don't think we need to leave every task up to SSC just because he discussed the idea with Mike; a few people here and there will spread the burden.

Anyone want to interview?

Who's got the best interviewer voice? Find out, then chain them up and force them to produce interviews.

Mark has a good accent. :D

Well the thing is that I've done this sort of thing before elsewhere (IRL, and on the interbutts) and I love doing radio altogether. That's why I suggested it. I'd love to interview people if nobody else volunteers, it's rather fun. Buuuut, yeah the midi thing I could use some help, as well as with the editing, etc.

PS: Oh, yeah, we'd need a forum or something concerning programs and "what was on the podcast", summaries, and all that jazz.

Mark has a good accent. :D

Yay! Finally someone appreciates my nondescript newsreader's voice :)

I'd be up for interviewing over skype or similar, provided I didn't have to come up with questions myself :ninja:

Well, let's sort of try out a prototype podcast and see how it pans out.

I suggest making a sort of 3 piece course, with stuff from the major works forum, or if anyone has any suggestions please say so. But the pieces shouldn't be overly long.

Something like a -30 min broadcast. Depends on the length of the pieces, too.

If mark is up to it, we can test the skype thing, and see how that works out. Then we can actually organize what pieces to play, and I can throw together a little script so it's not just random rambling.

As for the interviews, we can do a test interview too for this or the next podcast. So, start thinking who to interview and by whom, since it's either Mark or me at this point unless anyone else volunteers.

This is a very exciting idea.

I'm excited about the idea of getting to know and understand the members of YC through the Podcast.

What a great idea.

Reviewing compositions by the queer musician?

Gay people have effeminate accents; I wouldn't want to listen to one.

"Ooh, listen to this, this reminds me of my boyfriend, yeah, I came out while listening to this." I mean what exactly does being gay have to say about compositions (that is relevant)?

Being a musician on the otherhand has everything to do with compositions. So, Reviewing Compositions by Corbin the Musician, fair enough.

I am intrigued by the idea, but I cannot understand how an abstract piece of music can be interpreted any differently in a homosexual way other than biographically. Of course operas and film music are wide open to interpretation in that sense. I, myself wrote an essay comparing Danny Elfman's Edward Scissorhands soundtrack to Kristian Hoffman's Scarecrow and Elton John's Amreican Triangle which was definitely influenced by my homosexuality. Yeah this is more of an arguement with myself...

I think that the queer aesthetic is slighty limited in a sense not only in its ability to interpret pieces of music but also in the types of music it can interpret. I haven't read Susan McClary's book and I wouldn't call myself an expert so I would be intrigued to hear your arguments.

As for teh mocking tone of my last post, had I realised what you intended then I would have been more civil. As it was I thought it was either: you talking about queer musicians or you talking about any composition in a queer way, which I suppose is what you want to do. Good luck with it.

I am well-versed in Gender Roles though and I don't get McClary (I'm also modest :D). Having taken modules called Music and Violence and Opera and Politics I think that queer theory can be applied to any music that has lyrics or a story to tell, what I don't understand is how you can analyse a piano sonata from a queer perspective. And in all fairness I don't think there are that many operas or songs on YC that would warrant such an analysis.

As I mentioned before when this was first proposed, I'm willing to help out and contribute however much is needed. I've done podcasting before and I like to think that I don't have an entirely idiotic voice, so let me know what kinds of jobs are left and I'll do my best.

Also keep in mind that I can handle things like actual podast production, audio editing for it, writing of any extraneous music/sound for the non-showcase portions, etc etc.

You know where to find me if this gets off the ground! :)

[nifty random idea]

Perhaps we should have a theme song - a melody that could be arranged/interpreted by a different composer for each podcast?

[/nifty random idea]

I'm quite excited about the potential this idea has.

If I may offer a suggestion: I think the format might work best if the speech-centric material were placed towards the end of each episode. That way, people won't be put off by any banter or witty references to YC culture sandwiched between each piece. I'd like to see a YC podcast gratify both newcomers (by way of a general introduction to what's going on) and established members.

Aside from that, I think there's little else left to do but actually produce one. Let's see where it goes. I'd be up for any audio editing or production tasks that need doing.

Oh yeah, and I'd love for there to be a commissioned theme tune. :D

Haha, I'd love the chance to arrange a variation on the theme.

Each composer interviewed could have their own personal take on the theme showcased during the podcast. It could serve as another way of showcasing the personality and peculiarities of the individuals involved.

Each composer interviewed could have their own personal take on the theme showcased during the podcast.

That's definitely a good idea, implemented in one form or another. Even if just the theme should be re-arranged each month by someone different, or similar.

Polls etc. of course could be set up for this.

Why not arrange a competition for the YC theme tune? :O

Another thought SSC and I discussed in the shoutbox was the possibility of an analyasis feature each time, focussing on a well known (or perhaps not) work - this may not be everyone's idea of good listening, but I'm sure there are many members who would like it...

Thoughts?

You could probably hold auditions for whomever wants to give interviews. But a podcast sounds like an awesome idea.

Sounds like a great idea. Personally, I probably wouldn't listen to it if there were MIDIs though. Personally, I find them a bit painful. Maybe thats a bit harsh, but...

Something that I would find really useful to be on it would be like, short tips/lessons/classes about general composition, orchestration different styles. I would personally find that great. Just a thought...