sound.colLAB Results in New Musical Work for Canada’s Rolston String Quartet

True to form, National accessArts Centre (NaAC) is not only stepping into its role as Canada’s first multidisciplinary disability arts organization, but charging forward with a multi-stage project that brings together some of the country’s best classically-trained musicians. 

In January 2021, the NaAC kicked off sound.colLAB in partnership with Xenia Concerts, an organization that re-imagines music and arts events and activities to make them inclusive, relevant, and accessible to all members of society. The year-long program invites participants, musicians, and a composer to explore music, sound, collaboration, and accessibility. 

“We want to see if we can take engagement with music to the next level,” says Sarah Nematallah, Director of Xenia Concerts and founding member of the Cecilia String Quartet, at the January launch event. “To go beyond inviting people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to enjoy listening to music, and engage them in the creation of a new musical work.” 

Creating a Small Ensemble 

Since January, six participants (three in Calgary and three in Toronto) have been gathering regularly to co-create an original piece of music with the guidance of composer Bekah Simms and members of the Rolston String Quartet. The piece will be added to the Rolston’s repertoire and performed on stages across the country. 

“This is the first time that a classical ensemble like the Rolston String Quartet has worked with anyone from the disability community, and specifically, with a composer like Bekah Simms—a JUNO-nominated composer—to co-create a composition,” says Clayton Smith, Lead, Programs & Exhibitions at the NaAC. 

Many of the participants are artists who have no prior knowledge in music or composition, he adds. So a key consideration is communication: understanding what is the most effective way for participants to share musical ideas with each other. That’s where Bekah comes in. 

Striking a Chord with a Sound Object 

Bekah Simms has created commissioned works for some of the top contemporary music ensembles in Canada. Her music consists of a highly varied output using a wide variety of media. It’s been described as “cacophonous, jarring, oppressive—and totally engrossing!” (CBC Music). The perfect fit for this project, says Clayton. 

For sound.colLAB, Bekah invited the participants to choose a sound object or offering using something that has personal meaning. She gave the example of parchment paper, which she’s been using to bake during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each sound object or offering will be manipulated in different ways to make noise, then translated into notes that Bekah can use to create individual string sections. The participants will be given one minute of time during the composition, resulting in six miniature vignettes of movement. 

“At the end of this collaborative endeavor, we will have a new musical work,” says Sarah. “But beyond that, we’ll leave participants with the joy of music creation and enable them to participate in music-making going forward.” 

Watch for the premiere of the sound.colLAB composition in 2022. Learn more and follow along with the project at accessarts.ca

Funding for sound.colLAB is generously provided by the Canada Council for the Arts.