Ars Nova Singers is committed to creating emotionally rich experiences for multiple generations. With that in mind, in addition to our educational programs for young people, we also regularly present free family programs that also reach older generations and people who may not be able to participate in a more “traditional” concert setting. We perform regularly at the Boulder Public Library and for residents at Frasier Meadows and The Academy. We have participated in the Boulder Peace Day celebrations and every summer we offer ASCENT: A Boulder Soundwalk.
ASCENT: A Boulder Soundwalk is a free, immersive, self-guided concert experience accessible to all ages and individuals of different educational, ability, and mobility levels. It consists of 3 choir movements and more than 15 individual “sound bubbles,” inspired by the unique geography and spirit of Boulder. The music, composed by Divya Maus, is performed by Ars Nova Singers and is digitally installed in Scott Carpenter Park via the Echoes App. Using the app on a GPS-enabled device, participants will traverse the park and trigger different musical pieces with their movement. ASCENT uses pioneering technology similar to self-guided art museum tours. Because it is outdoors and self-guided, audience members are invited to create their own experience – whether you walk, run, sit, roll, or stroll; how long you interact with a particular movement; if you enjoy the Soundwalk solo or with a group – the experience is in your hands!
ASCENT is a classical music experience that aims to increase the accessibility of choral concert experiences. There is no expectation that the music be experienced in a specific way and thus it is open to a wider and more diverse range of participants. Individuals who are not neuro-typical or who have not historically felt drawn to a traditional concert environment are encouraged to craft their own experience. Volume, duration of specific sounds, and the chronology of the pieces heard are all in the listener’s control, providing unprecedented agency over the concert experience.
Scott Carpenter Park is public and centrally-located, making it easily accessible via public transportation. The Soundwalk installation will be open for four months and is limited only by park opening hours, allowing for greater flexibility for listeners who may not be able to attend more traditional evening events. There are no “concert etiquette” rules to follow, so it is a great introduction to classical music for young children. ASCENT is accessible for all mobility levels; while a walking version is installed on the open grass of the park – on which listeners can sit, or walk at their own pace – there is also a second “wheel-friendly” version installed exclusively on the walking paths – perfect for those who use wheelchairs, other walking aids, or are pushing strollers or pulling wagons. And because ASCENT centers on hearing-over-seeing, audience members of varying visual abilities will also have the opportunity to engage with this installation.