Wild Music: Sounds & Songs of Life
The Wild Music exhibit has concluded its run at the Science Museum of Minnesota and begins its national tour. View the tour schedule here.
Whales compose, bullfrogs chorus, songbirds greet the dawn, and people everywhere sing and dance. What do we all have in common? Long before the advent of iTunes, the musical instinct ran deep. Wild Music explores evidence for the biological origins of music through highly interactive exhibits and exceptional sound experiences, and—in the process—expands our understandings of what makes music. With its multicultural content, careful attention to accessibility, and rich menu of public programs and performances, Wild Music offers broad appeal for diverse, intergenerational audiences.
For activities and information, go to www.wildmusic.org
Wild Music Events
Exhibition
April 14-July 1Minnesota Museum of American Art
Sound in Art/Art in Sound
This exhibition will feature the work of artists who use the medium of sound. Check MMAA's website for more information about special performances and programs.
Camp
July 16-20, 9 a.m.-noonScience Museum of Minnesota
Scratch 'n' Beats
Create your own interactive, animated music player using music composition software called Garage Band and new animation software called Scratch, from the MIT Media Lab. Ages: 9-12
Camp
July 23-27, 1-4 p.m.Science Museum of Minnesota
Music Machines and Creative Composing
Build your own musical machine using motors, sensors, and found materials. Record the sounds of this instrument, your voice, and even scratches from a record onto the computer. Stretch, flip, layer and loop these sounds to make your own musical compositions. No musical training required. Ages: 9-12
Wild Music Past Events
Festival
March 3, 1-4 p.m.Science Museum of Minnesota
Wild Music Opening Day
Be one of the first to see the exhibition, and try activities in the gallery, learn about whale song from Dr. Roger Payne, marine mammalogist of the Ocean Alliance, and hear live gamelan music of Java performed by the Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota gamelan ensemble.
1:00 p.m. Roger Payne discusses his research on whales and their songs, and answers your questions.
2:30 p.m. Javanese gamelan music and dance, performed by the Indonesian Performing Arts Association of Minnesota
1-4 p.m. Hands-on sound and music activities, in the galleries
Free with museum admission.
Note: Due to event parking, please allow extra time for getting to the museum.
Concert
March 16, 7 p.m.Science Museum of Minnesota
Wild Music A-Go-Go
From elephant divas to precocious jumping beans, Wild Music A-Go-Go touches on some of the musical possibilities of the natural world. This live show features music from primeval to contemporary, underground to underwater, prairie to jungle. There will be humans playing on rocks, seashells and cornhusks, and the eternal songs of fish and the wind. The evening will feature premieres by local eco-composers Steve Heitzeg and Philip Blackburn who will also discuss their work. Before or after the performance, visit the Science Museum's Wild Music exhibition to continue exploring the muddy pathways that connect music and nature.
Co-sponsored by The Schubert Club, American Composers Forum, and the Science Museum of Minnesota.
Free with admission to the museum, and for members of the Science Musuem, American Composers Forum, and the Schubert Club.
Reception
March 16, 5-7 p.m.Science Museum of Minnesota
Educator Preview
Join us for a special educators-only preview event. To attend this event, you must RSVP online.
Originally scheduled for March 1, this preview was rescheduled due to snowy conditions.
Workshop
March 17, 11 a.m.-noonScience Museum of Minnesota
Preschool Family Science: Wild Music
Discover how animals make noises, imitate animal sounds and construct your own instruments to make animal music with. Ages: 3-5
Workshop
March 18, 1-4 p.m.Science Museum of Minnesota
Wild Music for Families
Examine the origins of music in animal sounds. Work with oscilloscopes and other sound technology. Make musical instruments that replicate animal sounds and visit the new exhibition, Wild Music. Ages: 6-12
Workshop
March 23, 1-4 p.m.Science Museum of Minnesota
Homeschool Science Club: Wild Music
Examine the origins of music in animal sounds. 5-6 year olds will make musical instruments that replicate animal sounds and perform in an animal orchestra. 7-9 year olds will work with oscilloscopes and other sound technology and make instruments. 10-13 year olds will create music from recycled materials, then create a soundscape using Audacity software. Ages: 5-13
Workshop
April 19 and 26, 7-9 p.m.Science Museum of Minnesota
Adult Workshop: Shape-Shifting Sounds
In this experimental workshop, we'll play with sound: found sound, natural sounds, created sounds. We'll amplify, alter, muffle, repeat and reimagine the possibilities of sound through both high-tech and low-tech tools. We'll find inspiration in both the natural world (through the Science Museum's Wild Music exhibition) and the artistic one (through the Minnesota Museum of American Art's Sound in Art/Art in Sound exhibition).
Festival
April 28, 1-4 p.m.Science Museum of Minnesota
El Día de los Niños
This year's annual spring festival will feature activities, presentations, and performances by local musicians, dancers, and sound artists, including Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc, Beatrix*JAR, and Danza Folklorico Mexico Lindo.
Free with admission to the museum.