The Gaunless Symphony
Cold as ice I lay asleep, I am old. Ancient in fact.
Through 2018, I worked with students from St John's Catholic School, Bishop Auckland, writer Chris Robinson and artist Jane Crawford to create a series of soundscapes, songs and instrumental compositions; using the Gaunless as the source of sounds & inspiration.
With workshops in school & wet walks along the banks and through the currents of the Gaunless, we captured field recordings, using hydrophones submerged beneath the water's surface to uncover the secretive sounds of fish & insect life; these were used to create sample libraries and music concrète compositions back in the classroom.
Together, we imagined the life of the Gaunless, giving a literal and metaphorical voice to the river, through which we shared its history. The project culminated in a live performance close to the banks of the river, and with the release of our gathered music and sounds.