Eva Antonel
There ’ s something about early and late summer that makes us more in tune to the sounds of all that is out-of-doors . In the beginning of the season we luxuriate in the warm breezes knowing that soon enough , high temperatures and humidity will force us to shut our windows and turn on the air conditioning . We sit by open windows as we work and drive , and long to be outdoors when we can .
The same can be said for late summer , when we are reminded daily of the inevitable approach of fall . Every birdsong , swoosh of a tennis racket or ping of a golf ball off a well-placed club reminds us that those are the sounds of summer . They ’ re not heard in quite the same way at any other time of the year . The same can be said of music . The warm breezes that urge us outdoors are also responsible for nudging the musically inclined to take their art and float it on the wind . From rollerbladers plugged into earbuds and drivers sharing their playlists through open windows , to symphony quartets at local parks and bands on festival stages , sharing their talents with anyone within hearing range , we can hear summer music at every corner . What better time than now , to explore some genres of music that you may have never quite learned to appreciate ?
If classical music has never been your thing , an outdoor concert is an excellent opportunity to give it a second chance . The Windsor Symphony Orchestra will be offering Water Music this month along waterways in the city and the county . Admission is free , and these informal settings allow aficionados as well as the curious to spend ten minutes or an hour , reveling in the sound . Unfold a lawn chair , spread a blanket and indulge in your favourite snack or a picnic dinner .
Hear Eva ’ s favourite musical summer sounds !
Close your eyes , feel the breeze and let the sound carry you away .
The same opportunities for sampling are available for almost any musical genre . The Riverfront Festival Plaza is hopping with musical acts from June to September , as are various venues around the region . This summer you can sample the blues , Motown , country and rock , as well as café acts that allow local singers and songwriters to show off their talents .
Make the most of a new musical experience : arrive with an open mind , set aside any preconceived notions , relax , listen ; look for similarities in sound to your favourite forms of music , notice what sounds you find pleasing and if there are any that grate on your ear , file them under “ interesting to note .” Allow your body to respond to the sound - if you feel like clapping or swaying , then clap and sway , or tap your feet . Observe the crowd : how are they responding to the sound ?
Take the summer music challenge to the max and see how many different musical experiences you can fit into the rest of the season . If all goes as planned , you ’ ll be a much richer person musically come fall with a broader repertoire of music you can enjoy from now on . If all else fails , you ’ ve spent some extra time outdoors , met interesting people , checked out new places and spaces and have bragging rights to being a musical know-it-all in the making . And don ’ t forget to check out What ’ s Happening for outdoor concerts and events !
Photo by James Zimmerman
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August 2013 - The HUB 9