Claude Schryer, Report on The Global Composition 2018

Photo courtesy of The Global Composition 2018

Claude Schryer (Canada)
@ssoundscapes, claude@simplesoundscapes.ca
 
I was one of the founders of the World Forum for Acoustic Ecology (WFAE) at the Banff Centre’s Tuning of the World Conference in 1993 (TOTW1993) and was honoured to participate as a facilitator at The Global Composition 2018 (TGC2018). I mentioned at the opening event of TGC2018 that it was the interdisciplinary and exploratory nature of acoustic ecology that motivated me to help create the WFAE. Much has been accomplished by the WFAE over 25 years – thanks are in order - but what comes next? One of the goals of TGC2018 was to take stock of these 25 years of activity and to lay groundwork for future generations...
 
Some personal highlights and thoughts from TGC2018:

• Recalling the early history of the WFAE: 1991, first World Soundscape Project newsletter; 1993, founding of an international coalition of acoustic-ecology specialists at Tuning of the World and 1998, Stockholm Hey Listen! conference with the creation of national affiliates and the Soundscape Journal

• Acknowledging WFAE trailblazers, notably Nigel Frayne, Hildegard Westerkamp, Peter Grant, Gary Ferrington and Gayle Young and pioneers in the community such as the WFAE life member Walter Tilgner (attributed October 6, 2018)

• Remembering that the World Soundscape Project addressed noise issues by encouraging listening, analysis and new modes of design and that we now need to encourage the next generation to tackle acoustic ecology on their own terms and to adapt core concepts to new realities

• Encouraging ongoing dialogue about what is relevant in acoustic ecology, such as increasing accessibility, diversifying voices, mobilizing knowledge, rethinking the concept of noise, retooling listening, increasing networking opportunities, better communication of core messages, coordination of volunteers to undertake tasks, etc.

• Exploring emerging concepts, such as queering sound space, crafting 3D audio, connecting sound in a synthetic ecology, criticizing romanticism in soundscape studies, rethinking stereotypes in gaming … and sharing these findings broadly

TOTW1993 was an initial mobilisation of the global acoustic ecology community, whereas TGC2018, and other similar events, are steps towards broadening this community into a listening and sounding culture.