Musical rocks project to be launched

17 August 2010

Lecturer Rob Mackay is taking part in an innovative national project to create music from a remarkable stone instrument.

Dr Mackay, Subject Group Leader for Creative Music Technology at the University of Hull’s Scarborough Campus, is collaborating with percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie to produce a piece of music based on the sounds of the lithophone - an instrument made from musical rocks.

The lithophone is based at Brantwood in the Lake District, and the creation of the unusual instrument, called The Brantwood Musical Stones, aims to introduce children to the area’s stunning geology and landscape.

The project, entitled Ruskin Rocks, is being led by academics from the University of Leeds, and has brought together geologists and musicians. Dr Mackay is involved because not only does he have experience as a composer, but is also a trained geologist.

He explained: “I originally studied geology as an undergraduate, and although I have completely changed direction to teach music technology, I am delighted to be able to use my previous knowledge to be involved in such a groundbreaking project.

“The lithophone itself is an incredibly interesting instrument from both a musical and geological point of view, and I feel privileged to be working with Dame Evelyn, who is one of the best-known percussionists in the world.”

Ruskin Rocks will be launched on 19 August by Dame Evelyn and the team, at Brantwood in Cumbria. Now open to the public as a museum, Brantwood was the home of writer and social reformist John Ruskin.

The lithophone is made of different types of rock to produce a range of sounds, and as well as being used for a special performance by Dame Evelyn, will also be available to be played by members of the public.

Dr Mackay’s composition will combine recordings of Dame Evelyn playing the instrument, sounds from the quarries where the rocks came from, and recordings of the writings of John Ruskin.

The project coordinator, Bobbie Millar, of the University of Leeds said: "This project is a great example of bringing together different disciplines to create something that is unusual, exciting and accessible. This exhibition at Brantwood is for families. It is designed to be fun and to make science, music and technology easy to understand."

Dame Evelyn Glennie said: "This project links closely to many new and conceptual ideas. It seeks to unlock the potential of the fabric of our landscape to teach us not only about the past but also the future. It is right and proper that the natural curiosity of children is embraced and they will be able to embed their findings of both music and geology into the history books of tomorrow.

"My personal hope is that many others will follow in our footsteps and add to this initial development of an interesting instrument thus unlocking the mysteries of these ancient rocks and landscape".

The project is funded by Natural England, through DEFRA's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. It also includes support from the Brantwood Trust, schools and quarry companies.

Ends.