DiverseWorks to Present 2 Participatory Vocal Events with Bonnie Barnett, 2/20-21

In conjunction with the exhibition SonicWorks (on view at DiverseWorks through March 1), DiverseWorks is bringing vocalist, teacher, and composer Bonnie Barnett back to Houston to conduct two live participatory vocal events called Hums.

Bonnie Barnett created the HUM in 1981, with a small, acoustic vocal event in San Francisco. A short verbal score, or list of instructions, outlines theprocess of breathing, humming and singing, all in a harmonious major tonality. Since then, she has produced over 80 Hums, including 1986's Under Houston Humming, which was part of Houston's New Music America Festival (DiverseWorks was the official festival headquarters). Other notable Hums include 1985's Auto Hum, for car commuter participation in Los Angeles, broadcast live over Pacifica station KPFK, and a series of Millenium Hums in London as part of the Sacred Voices Millennium Music Village Festival. Barnett's documentary, The Tunnel Hum Project, records Hums that took place from 1984 through 1992, and is released on DVD.

Anyone can participate in a HUM - no musical or vocal technique or experience is necessary. There will be instruments at the HUM, playing the chord, so no one has to worry if they are in tune or not.

Singing together in harmony creates a wonderful feeling of community, of being part of a group. Singing is vibration - vibration is movement - movement is change. When we sing, we feel good, we fill ourselves with enthusiasm. -- Bonnie Barnett

Thursday, February 20, 7 pm
Skyspace HUM
Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion, James Turrell's "Twilight Epiphany" skyspace
Rice University

Skyspace HUM will begin at 7 pm following Turrell's Sunset light sequence, and will be followed by a short Q&A. No reservations are needed to participate in the HUM, but reservations are required for those wishing to experience the Sunset light sequence beforehand. Reservations for the sunset sequence must be made online at the Skyspace's website: http://skyspace.rice.edu/cms/visit-skyspace/

Skyspace HUM is made possible in part through an Arts Initiative Grant from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. Special thanks to Rice Public Art.

Friday, February 21, Noon
Another Under Houston Humming
Esperson Building, 808 Travis Street
(enter through lobby and take elevator to pedestrian tunnels)

Another Houston Humming is made possible through the generous support of Cameron Management.