Glenn McClure

Artists and Writers Fellowship National Science Foundation 2016

Final Report

Musical Composition/Exhibition/Guest Lectures

1. The first musical work entitled, “Tremble” was completed in July 2017 and premiered by the SUNY Geneseo Chambers Singers on October 22, 2017. This work is now being distributed to ensembles throughout my national and international network of musical directors and my 2 publishers for extended performances in 2018 and beyond. The work was based upon the sonification of data collected on the Ross Ice Shelf with the team from Scripts Oceanographic Institute under the direction of Dr. Peter Bromirski.
2. My music and field recordings are being used for the creation of new multimedia exhibition at the Birch Aquarium, Lo Jolla, California to be opened in 2018.
3. I recorded a TEDx talk on November 4, 2017 at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY entitled “Ear to the Ice.” After editing, this talk will be released to the public in early 2018.
4. I was the keynote speaker for the Lessons from Abroad Rochester Area Study Abroad Returnee Conference https://rocyourglobalfuture.com/schedule/ on September 30, SUNY Geneseo. My speech focused on my work with the Artists and Writers Fellowship.
5. As part of UC San Diego’s Initiative for Digital Exploration of Arts and Sciences (ideas.ucsd.edu), my field recordings and music compositions will anchor an interactive exhibit at the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, CA to be opened in April 2018.

Educational Outreach

1. Geneseo Central School, Geneseo, NY- 18 students in 7^th grade science used my sonification algorithm to translate Weddell seal data into melodies. In the process, they studied Antarctic science, modular mathematics, and music theory. I spent 3 days with the students working with science teacher Randolph French. It should be noted that Mr. French travelled to the Palmer Station area of Antarctica one month after my trip in October/November 2016. The melodies generated by these students became the core musical content for Middle School band piece entitled “Diving Seals” that was performed by the Geneseo Central Middle School Band under the direction of Christopher Minges on April 28, 2017 in the Geneseo Central School auditorium. Mr. French compiled images from the both of our trips and the classroom work that were projected over the band during the premier of the new musical work.
2. Webster High School, Webster, NY- 12 high school physics students translated seismic data from the Ross Ice Shelf into melodies. In the process, they studied how Dr. Bromirski’s team used seismographs to monitor the movements of the Ross Ice Shelf as it responds to infragravity waves originating from atmospheric and planetary events. I spent 3 days with the students and their teacher Dr. Robert Enck. I also worked with the music department in the creation student digital music works that responded to the data and the field recordings I brought home from my time in Antarctica.
3. TC Williams High School, Alexandria, VA- 2 students researched wrote and published an article in their Science Journalism class, under the direction of the teacher, Mark Eaton. The students interviewed me via skype during my time at McMurdo Station.
4. SUNY Geneseo, Geneseo, NY-
   1. Live skype interview with student researchers, faculty, and media specialists under the direction of David Irwin, College Communications.
   2. 13 students researched and wrote essays exploring the history of artists in Antarctica under the direction of Dr. Joseph Cope.
   3. 22 students wrote essays as part of their Science Journalism class with Dr. Jess Fenn.
   4. 40 students in the Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Gerard Floriano premiered the first musical work, “Tremble” on October 22, 2017 at the Doty Recital Hall, SUNY Geneseo campus.
   5. Developed an automated algorithm in collaboration with technical specialist Dr. Kirk Anne that translates large amounts of data into musical notes.
   6. I served as a faculty advisor to Venture Works, the student entrepreneurship competition under the direction of Dr. Judith Albers. Students developed possible business plans based upon my sonification algorithm.
   7. Submission of application to National Science Foundation I-Corps program in collaboration with the SUNY Research Foundation for the purpose of exploring possible commercial applications of my sonification algorithm.
   8. Participating SUNY Geneseo professors are now assembling student work and accompanying curriculum for a new website to be released in early 2018.

Media Coverage to date

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/sg-sgc110416.php (AAAS Eurekalert service; reached multiple publications)
http://www.cmuse.org/project-to-use-music-to-track-melting-ice-in-antarctic/

http://phys.org/news/2016-11-suny-geneseo-embarks-music-antarctica.html (multiple placements from phys.org including Chemistry Newslocker (http://www.newslocker.com/en-us/profession/chemistry_newslocker/suny-geneseo-composer-embarks-on-music-project-in-antarctica/view/) and COPLAC Higher Ed.

http://healthmedicinet.com/i/suny-geneseo-composer-embarks-on-music-project-in-antarctica/  (Health Medicine Network)

https://www.acpsk12.org/theogony/2016-2017/2016/12/05/all-the-best-from-the-bottom-of-the-planet-part-1/ (story from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va.)

https://www.acpsk12.org/theogony/2016-2017/2016/12/07/all-the-best-from-the-bottom-of-the-planet-part-2-living-in-antarctica/ (part 2 from above)

http://healthmedicinet.com/i/suny-geneseo-composer-embarks-on-music-project-in-antarctica/ (Livingston County News)

http://thelamron.com/2016/11/18/mcclure-makes-progress-antarctica-musical-composition/

http://classical915.org/post/composers-journey-bottom-world

https://www.geneseo.edu/news/songs-ice-antarctica-research-combines-math-music-and-nature

Last Modified: 12/16/2017
Modified by: Glenn L Mcclure