Dear students,
UT Landmarks is partnering with the Butler School of Music to host student degree recitals in the Skyspace throughout the spring semester on Thursday nights at sunset, accompanied by its nightly light show. This is a wonderful opportunity for students playing solo recitals or small, portable chamber recitals. The Color Inside by James Turrell is one of The University's important public artworks. Check out other music projects that were held in the Skyspace here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQxl-osliZc
If this is of interest to you, please read the rest of this email thoroughly, as there are several limitations to consider.
Performance Dates and Dress Rehearsals
Recitals can be held on the following Thursdays at sunset during the scheduled lightshow:
Two hours of dress rehearsal time can be scheduled on the preceding Wednesday of each recital date any time before 5:00pm.
Students who perform in the Skyspace would not be charged a recital fee, but would be responsible for recording their own recital. Graduate students are required to have a recording of their degree recital, but undergraduates are not. Students cannot sell video recordings made in the Skyspace and should not list the words "James Turrell" or "Skyspace" if posting online.
Characteristics of Skyspace
- The floor area of the Skyspace is an oval approximately 11ft by 18ft. This is somewhat reduced by the legs of audience members when seated in the bench around the floor. It is highly recommended that you visit the Skyspace to understand the limitations of the space before committing to performing your recital there. We've mocked up a simple diagram of the space for you to use.
- The acoustics of the Skyspace are very unusual. They feature very present reverberation and high frequencies are especially present in the room. The space is open to the public during open hours of the WCP Student Activity Center and you are encouraged to bring your instrument and hear for yourself. When your performance is in progress, there may be environmental sounds from outside the space such as activity in front of GRE or traffic along the pedestrian walkway through the middle of campus.
- The Skyspace will not accommodate a piano, and it is in the middle of campus with no nearby parking. An electronic keyboard is an option, as are other electronic instruments. There is reliable power nearby. Large percussion instruments or harps may also pose a space challenge.
- Weather will always be a concern in the Skyspace as the oculus and the doorway are both open air. Rain may fall through the oculus, so please know that instruments sensitive to humidity, temperature and moisture may be affected. In the event of extreme weather, it may be possible to schedule a makeup recital date.
- The light sequence during the skyspace is a little over an hour long and begins with very subtle shifts in color. During the last quarter of the light sequence, the colors create a darker environment and a stand light may be required to see your music. The light sequence ends somewhat abruptly with a white wash. The light sequence shifts from evening to evening, but the order of events is fixed, which means you can program around it to an extent. There are no abrupt changes until the end of the sequence.
- Attendees for recitals in the Skyspace would need to reserve a seat through the Skyspace website when available. Landmarks can guarantee up to ten spaces for family, faculty and friends. The other seats will be open to the public, so attendees should be encouraged to reserve their spots early.
Scheduling a Skyspace Date
After carefully reading the details above, if you feel that your degree recital is a good fit for the Skyspace, please email the following information to scheduling@mail.music.utexas.edu:
- Your name as you'd like it to be publicized
- Instrument, voice type, or composer
- UT EID
- Degree recital (Junior, Senior, Master's, DMA 1, etc.)
- Instructor
- Skyspace dates you are interested in reserving (list all that work for you)
- Relevant info about your recital (instrumentation, power needs, etc.)
For those of you interested in scheduling a recital date in a Butler School performance hall, I will be sending an email with signup instructions next week.
Thank you,
