Jam Cruise 2012: SoundSchool goes international

Working and volunteering for the Bob Moog Foundation allows many of us some very unusual experiences. Floating on the Caribbean with 30 bands and 3,000 devoted music fans on Jam Cruise 10 from January 9-14 was no exception. This was our second year participating in this music-filled adventure and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the cruisers through a couple of clinics and interactive experiences. On the third day of the cruise, the Foundation was invited to disembark in Falmouth, Jamaica and teach 50 kids the science of sound through the magic of Moog instruments.

The following is a pictorial of our treasured experiences aboard the boat and in Jamaica with the kids:

Synths, Moogerfoogers, theremins, and more bound for Jamaica………

(Photo: BMF Staff)

The MSC Poesia does right by over 3,000 music fans, who enjoy live music from 11am until 7am every day. Jam Cruise is truly an extraordinary, if bit surreal, experience. The top deck concerts at dusk and dark are primo, while the Jam Room rocks from midnight – 6am with a bevy of heavyweight talents.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

Sail away party on the deck. There’s nothing quite like listening to outstanding live music while sailing through the ocean.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

Not often you see a woman in a bikini playing a theremin. There are some experiences only Jam Cruise can provide!

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

Zoning out and tuning in to the sonic power of synthesis………

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

Joel Cummins, keyboardist for Umphrey’s McGee, demonstrates the power of the synthesizer and moogerfooger effect pedals.

(Photo:  Michael Weintrob)

Cruiser Debra LaBar jumps on the keys with Joel for an impromptu lesson.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

With the lights of the disco shimmering above, Joel Cummins dials in the sound as a cruiser and his furry friend jam on the Voyager. Debra LaBar enjoys the duet from behind.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

Funk maestro Nigel Hall (center) is serious about exploring sound through synthesis. Here he demonstrates the famous Moog filter.  And oh, did we mention that costumes are a big part of Jam Cruise?

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

Nigel stopped by our Jam Cruise SoundSchool to give an intimate clinic about finding your sound through synthesis.

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

On the fourth day of Jam Cruise, we disembarked in Falmouth, Jamaica and visited the All Ages School about 1/2 mile from the port.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

Jason Pisaro, our fearless team coordinator, confers with our host, Astor Black, when arriving at the school. Jay is one of those behind-the-scenes guys; he gets so much accomplished that most people don’t even know about. Jay is largely responsible for collaborating with Jam Cruise’s Positive Legacy program and creating the opportunity for the BMF to teach the kids at the All Ages School.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

SoundSchool Jamaica consisted of four interactive stations for the students: signal processing with Moogerfoogers with David Hamilton, waveforms and oscillation through the Voyager and Little Phatty synthesizers with Jay Pisaro and Nigel Hall, and History and vocal processing with Michelle Moog-Koussa.

In the photo below, two Jamaican students are turned on to new sonic frontiers……..

(Photo: BMF Staff)

Figuring out the electromagnetic fields of the theremin…..

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

Nigel Hall generously agreed to share his passion for synthesis with the kids. Below he explains waveforms.

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

Michelle engages the kids with an introduction to the Moog legacy, the history of the theremin and some thoughts about vocal processing and sound sculpting.

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

Dave Hamilton uses his music and the kids’ music (processed through moogerfoogers) to demonstrate the power of  sound manipulation through signal processing.

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

A theremin duet………

(Photo: Michael Weintrob)

A perfect opportunity for Jay to explain to the students what monophonic means.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

The kids at the All Ages School were engaged, interested and full of life.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

Michelle presented Astor with a theremin for his Arts Institute, a place for local children and adults to explore their creativity.  Many thanks to Ann Kenworthy (left) of Positive Legacy for all of her assistance in making our visit possible.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

Jay and Dave hang out with some of the younger kids at the school just before departing.

(Photo: BMF Staff)

Thank you Jam Cruise, Positive Legacy, Astor Black and everyone at the All Ages School in Falmouth, Jamaica! It was a privilege for the Bob Moog Foundation to teach these wonderful students!

(Photo: BMF Staff)