Windows on Earth is the a 48-minute Earth movie with evocative and unique views of Earth captured from the International Space Station; released by The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) and TERC, a STEM education non-profit and available in 4K resolution, free for public viewing on Earth Movie Theater YouTube channel and EarthMovieTheater.org.
The original soundtrack I composed in 2007 was commissioned by TERC, the Math & Science education non-profit; created to accompany the specially developed Windows on Earth software for the 2008 Richard Garriott Mission to the International Space Station. Also as part of the project, I created the sound design for the permanent exhibit installation of Windows on the World that is in a few Museums around the USA including the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Boston Museum of Science, and St. Louis Science Center.
MORE IN MY OWN WORDS
I was excited to hear from Dan Barstow, the former TERC project director who brought me in back in 2007, when TERC commissioned the 48-minute Earth Orbits soundtrack created to accompany the specially developed Windows on Earth software for the 2008 Richard Garriott Mission to the International Space Station. I was immediately intrigued by Dan’s description of the new initiative he was spearheading in the ASE-TERC collaboration. Earth Movie Theatre animates thousands of still photographs into varied and evocative views of earth. He mentioned he was re-imagining the original soundtrack with astronaut photography of Earth and he was interested in using some of the new music I was working on. With that call, a new collaboration was born. Dan selected music that resonated with him and I selected material that worked with the visuals I was drawn towards.
I knew that my Guitarscapes (unreleased guitar works) could feature prominently in a number of Earth Movies. Dan loved Guitarscapes. He also explored Folktales & Fusions, a new body of work I am presently developing -notably, a moody duo interpretation of Shenandoah with long time collaborator pianist Bob Ponte, and originals Princess and the Jester set to the Jazz Clouds Earth Movie and Haze Country set to the Aurora Inspiration Earth Movie, both featuring the expressive and melodious sound of world renowned saxophonist Chris Cheek. So of course, It’s thrilling to be part of a collaboration that’s truly out of this world. I discovered in re-listening to the Windows on Earth soundtrack after 15 years how much material from Audnoyz Project (my Audnoyz artist guise with 5 albums to date) I included in the soundtrack formulation. In particular the beat-driven Audnoyz Project Vol One track Transcendence (timestamp 13:10), featuring the fitting tenor saxophone of Dan Abreu.
Other APVOne Tracks included:
Transendence: 1:04
Ode to Aud: 8:36
Transendence: 13:10, feat: Dan Abreu
They Might Be Aliens: 18:54, feat: whale songs
Mao Inspirerer: 22:25 & 42:54
RFB: 25:15 & 45:15
Step Out of Time: 26:34
Piano Mood: 27:14
The Hurt: 37:26
Lately, I have been reflecting on the state of humanity and thinking about what I can do to help “be the change,” have a positive impact on the world around me. I never would have imagined that art created years ago, could be an answer; possibly lead others to places of discovery, to get inspired and aspire to be the future change the World needs.
A Music Industry friend has said to me many times, “the universe makes the set-list.” The timing then is perfect, as I reflect on it: I have been thinking about what I can do and the answer presents itself. I hope many young people are drawn in by the sights & sounds and then discover the work of astronaut/explorers like Sian Proctor and Suni Williams. That they then aspire to do great things in Math & Science, encourage stewardship of the Earth and be the change Humanity depends upon for its future.