Soundpainting

C o r n i s t a . c o m

Soundpainting

Photo: Richard Sandler

Walter Thompson Orchestra Soundpainting

The Walter Thompson Orchestra explores the interdisciplinary potential of composition through improvisatory works. Musicians, dancers, actors and visual artists improvise material across all media as directed by Thompson using his composing/conducting system of gestured signals. This technique, which has taken 20 years to codify, is called Soundpainting, a composing/conducting system consisting of more than 700 gestures. What began as Thompson's novel communication tool between conductor and improviser has turned into a rigorous system in which music, dance, theater, or an educational presentation can be created spontaneously.

A note from LaCornista...................

At the risk of sounding biased—as Walter is my brilliant, handsome, and talented husband—Soundpainting defies description. It really needs to be seen and heard in order to understand better what it is. It has been described as a new genre of music but it transcends even that. Soundpainting involves all artistic disciplines—including poetry and prose, and lighting design. While it evolved out of jazz performances, Soundpainting is effective with non-improvisers and improvisers alike, in every style of performance. With some of its educational applications, Walter has been able to reach the "hardest" of so called high-risk children through Soundpainting. He spends quite a bit of time touring, lecturing, performing, and teaching Soundpainting techniques throughout the world to groups at every education and performance level. Perhaps Walter will be at a concert hall, school, or university near you.................

Walter Thompson

Photo: Nancy S. Donskoj

Last updated on February 1, 2004