Coming Up for Air
Multi-disciplinary researcher, flutist and composer Dr Kathryn Williams joins the PRiSM team to undergo collaborative research with Dr Bofan Ma (PRiSM Post-Doctoral Research Associate).
This collaboration focuses on ‘Coming Up for Air in Rossendale’, a project connecting creative musical practice, accessible technology, and the interplay between eco-friendly sustainable performing arts infrastructure and musicians’ health and wellbeing.
Williams and Ma will build collaborations with researchers and organisations working in the fields of digital transformation, green innovation, and smart technology in the Rossendale Valley and across the Northwest England.
The project will also see them deliver workshops at local primary schools, to raise awareness of indoor air quality through participatory music-making using accessible musical instruments.
The initial six-month phase of the work will culminate in a performance-led, multi-sensory installation at the Horse + Bamboo Theatre in Rossendale, Lancashire.
Joe’s Acoustic Panels
Joe Chesterman-March is a musician and music producer based in Prestwich. He runs various music sessions with young people in schools and is also a community choir conductor with ‘Salford Sings’.
In 2024 Joe came into the Horse + Bamboo workshop with the aim of making several acoustic panels for his home recording studio. He had an initial conversation with Tom regarding the designs, ordered his own materials, and then had 7 days between early February and late March building time in the workshop. Although most of this work was independently led Tom was always on hand to assist practically and offer construction advice. Joe has now completed his panels and installed them in his home studio.
“I don’t know how I would have made my acoustic panels without the facilities of Horse + Bamboo and Tom Byrne’s expert guidance. From the mitre saw and bandsaw all the way down to clamps and fabric scissors, there were so many useful resources I could tap into that I both didn’t have at home, and didn’t realise I would need! Of course good equipment is no use if there’s no one to teach you how to use it safely, which Tom did so helpfully. Not only was I trained on the machinery, I also benefited from his years of experience, guiding me on when a manual screwdriver might work better than electric, and on how to reinforce a structure. Thank you so much!”- Joe Chesterman-March