It was an ordinary day. Walking amongst the multi-piece ensemble, listening to the musicians as well as snapping a few photographs of each musician as they perform "In C". Local musician Christopher Brooks gathered 17 musicians to perform composer Terry Riley's 20th century piece, "In C", for free at Lancaster's Buchanan Park. Those attending, including myself, weren't asked to sit in a chair and face the musicians, instead all those who came to hear the music were told to feel free and walk among the performers and feel the music as well as take photographs of the musicians as they perform. We were told to do so as long as we don't talk! Brooks said he is really a fanatic about listening. He announced that the piece that is being played today is going to last about 40 minutes to an hour. "In C" was composed in 1964 and made up of 53 musical phrases, to be played by musicians for any amount of time, to be repeated at whim. "In C" was at one time described as a packet of seeds, and those musical seeds, once planted, turned into the piece. And they turned into a different version of that piece every time. The mix of strings and brass is both complex and meditative. Brooks described this idea as "beautiful avant-garde." He said that so many outdoor concerts are people playing way too loud, everybody sits there and talks....I hate that! He went on to say "So, this is a little bit of a counter example of that. I've got an argument that I'm making, that music should be quiet, and listening is the essential thing." Mr. Brooks is an accomplished violinist and has lived in Lancaster since 1984, performing with the Reading, Harrisburg and York Symphony Orchestra, among others. Brooks wrote his proposal for the project in 2020 and spent much of his time since then gathering musicians, writing grants and contacting local music programs. He initially wanted to involve high school music students, but said he didn't hear a response after writing to every single school. The group he arranged includes string and brass musicians and a percussionist whose sole job is to hit eight notes at 108 beats per minute for the entire performance. At the group's last rehearsal, drummer Ed Haggard tried a variety of percussion instruments before landing on one that fit best: the woodblock. At an April rehearsal he took on a ringleader role, advising the musicians on when and how to play the piece so that it can fully become itself at the actual performance. The group began in a close group before Brooks told everyone to move several feet apart so attendees could walk between them. I was able to walk among the musicians and take as many photographs as I wanted as long as I didn't talk to any of the performers. This was about listening, not talking. I did enjoy myself, while listening to the musicians as well as taking multiple shots of each musician as they played. Great experience, but it did seem to be somewhat noisy with most people talking as the music was being played. And...the hour and a half long performance was a bit too long for all of the children in attendance as well as many of the adults. I loved the music and to gather all these fine musicians together was a task worth every minute. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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