A Swiss Soundscape

‘And if there’s no tomorrow

And all we have is her and now

I’m happy just to have you

 You’re all the love I need somehow

It’s like a dream

Although I’m not asleep

And I never want to wake up

 Don’t lose it (don’t lose it), don’t leave it (don’t leave it)’

~The Corrs

I was lucky enough to present research at a music conference in a stunning part of Switzerland called ‘Chateau D’oex’ a few years ago. The sloping green mountains were dotted with wooden chalets and patios. The air was good. It smelled of cleanliness. Freshness. Health. This event brought together a global community of researchers, educators, and musicians. We all had one thing in common. Music. We knew of its power. Of its promise. We used it. Shared it. Taught it. Researched it. Music vented from every possible outlet for those four days. Those Swiss hills were certainly alive with the sound of music. This event was extra special for me as it was during the school holidays and so my family could come with me. Travelling by train, ascending into the heights of the chocolate factories, cheese factories, and wildlife silenced our voices. We stared. Watched. We were in awe of such spectacular scenery. We were touched. The four of us. We shared in the music demonstrations, concerts, talks, and culture. We experienced improvising musicians. Musicians that composed music in real-time, in front of an audience. Musicians that strayed from the traditional practices of playing guitar, drums, keys, to introduce objects that made sounds. Fascinating and weird sounds. Sounds we never heard of before. Sounds that challenged the listening ear. Sounds that made my son believe that such musicians were utterly mad. ‘They must not know how to play proper instruments and music’ Daniel frustratingly said. Yet, myself, Greg and Laura found it interestingly genius. Creativity oozed from the stage. Innovative techniques accompanied with semi-structured musicality entertained the audience. It was incredible. Creativity is limitless among us all.