Jenny Daniel: Image, Music and Identity 06/06/09

An interesting day in Nottingham, which began in Liverpool (where I always begin), forcibly removing myself from my bed at 6am, and leaving half an hour later (on a Saturday, I ask you!).  The intervening half hour was spent in receipt of jibes (from my still horizontal husband) disguised as advice regarding the importance of co-ordinating one’s outfit and power-point presentation.  Really?!

Unfortunately I was blissfully unaware that my geographical knowledge extended only as far as the north of England, and so by 8am was driving hopelessly in circles around Stoke-on-Trent.  Not recommended.  Conceding defeat I rang my father, and discovered that an incorrect turn onto the A50 had been made.  ‘Head towards Uttoxeter.’  Never been, sounds exotic.

The University of Nottingham is, in essence, a load of buildings spread out round an enormous field.  Even on a very soggy day like this, it’s quite nice actually.  Several messages to Caroline Lucas later, we both pulled up together.  Great to see a friendly face, and a very large umbrella.

RMA tried to sting me for a tenner, but I was having none of it.  Tea and biccies for breakfast then?  Don’t mind if I do.  We sat and perused the programme, in anticipation of Keynote speech No.1, which included imaginary spaces and places, real train noises, and a filmed performance (but alas no popcorn).  Caroline was on next, with a highly relevant talk about English Black Metal in a great session themed on nationalisms.  Mic Spencer came to support her, even though he’d already seen the paper, which was nice.

Quiz:  What’s the image connection between EBM band Forefather, and Richard Jones’s 2005/6 production of Un Ballo in Maschera?  I’ll leave that with you, dear reader.  Answers on a postcard…

Jennifer Johnstone (Kent State) then presented on male voice choirs in North Wales.  I was really interested to hear her perspectives as I have quite a personal connection to that world, and I enjoyed her paper.  She asked if anyone had watched Last Choir Standing on BBC1 last year, and I enthusiastically raised my hand, eagerly looking around the room for fellow fans.  Oh, just me then?  Well, not everyone can have such impeccable taste.  I bet they all watch Strictly Come Dancing.

Lunch was rather tasty.  Then onto Keynote No.2, On Intonation. I really wish there had been an abstract, because I imagined it was going to be about getting one’s intervals in tune.  It wasn’t.  In fact it wasn’t much about music at all.  I’ll tell you more about it perhaps when I have contextualised it by reading the entire canon of Western philosophy and art history.  Until then…

I was in the next session, after Rhuti Carr from ‘Painting Music’ talking about her company’s multi-arts practice.  Very interesting, and great to have the perspectives of a performing musician as well.  After the final session a predictably rectangular ‘round table’ opened up various issues arising from the day.  I suddenly found a lot to say, just as it was time to go home… don’t you just hate people who do that…?!

Resisted the urge for a return visit to Stoke on the way back.  Got home to discover that my husband had purchased a bicycle.  I wonder if he had as much fun as me?!

JD

Tags: Conference, Identity, Image, Journey, Music, RMA Study Day