New faculty, new ideas – giving back to FASS through music

Jesse Stewart dreamt he forgot his drumsticks and had to play the concert by hand – so that’s what he did.

Stewart began the opening act of his solo performance at the Lunchtime Concert Series by playing the drums with nothing but his hands. Stewart, a percussionist and composer, joined the School for Studies in Art and Culture this year as an assistant professor in music and initiated the series as a means to raise money for the FASS Endowment Fund and the music department.

“I heard some talk about the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Endowment Fund, and I thought I could organize this concert series to raise money for it,” says Stewart.

He adds that the purpose is two-fold, because not only is the series an opportunity to raise funds, but it also allows students to see their professors perform in a concert setting – an opportunity they might not receive otherwise.

The first installment of the series was a great success as it attracted about 35 attendees and raised $250 with all proceeds going to the Endowment Fund and music department initiatives. “I was very pleased,” beams Stewart.

Stewart awed the audience as he began the show by playing the drums with his hands, then making music with various drumsticks alone, and finally playing the drums the more traditional way, although the music was highly unique and original. He ended the performance by playing a rare instrument known as the waterphone – a metal disc-shaped instrument with a cylindrical neck, containing a small amount of water, and with bronze rods around the rim of the bowl.

Stewart explains that he likes to “play instruments in unconventional ways”. He says it is a process of discovery and experimentation; it is trying to push the limits of what is possible on a particular instrument or material: “All children do that inherently. I just never stopped.”

All but two pieces in Stewart’s hour-long performance were improvised. The professor says this was unusual for him as he normally has a “blueprint” of what he plans to play. “In a way it made it less comfortable. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, but that’s where I like to be because that’s how I discover new things,” says Stewart.

The audience remained silently fixated on Stewart as he performed and each break in the show was met with tremendous applause.

Stewart says his instrument of choice is the drum set because it is a “hybridized” instrument that draws on instruments from different cultural and musical locations across the world. He points to the cymbals, which were created in Turkey, and the snare and bass drum, from the European military band tradition, as examples. However, he plays, and even makes, other instruments. Among other creations, Stewart created a microtonal marimba out of marble that he calls a “lithophone”.

He credits his Guelph undergraduate degree, which combined music and visual arts, with his interest in designing and building instruments along with his desire to investigate objects, not only instruments, for their sonic possibilities. Stewart went on to complete a Master’s degree in ethnomusicology while simultaneously completing an MA in Composition at York University. He concluded his education this past June with a PhD in cultural studies back at the University of Guelph. His areas of expertise include theory, music composition and performance, and visual art and instrument design.

Stewart says he was instantly interested in this position because the job description clearly stated that Carleton valued the study of jazz and pop music on par with that of traditional western music. This stood out to Stewart because it is a quality that most other university music departments lack.

The professor intends on running the Lunchtime Concert Series every week for the rest of the school year. Those planning on taking in the concerts will experience volunteer performances from other Carleton professors, external musicians and Carleton alumni. Its popularity speaks for itself as Stewart has filled every concert between now and April with volunteer performers.

The next concert will feature guitarist Alwin Tong on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. in Loeb Tower A, Room 900 (Studio A). Admission is on a pay-what-you-can basis (suggested donation $5 students; $10 non-students). Anyone interested in more information on the series or wishing to donate can contact Jesse Stewart at jesse_stewart@carleton.ca.