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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol 35 no. 8. 27 April 1972

The Scratch Orchestra

page 14

The Scratch Orchestra

Photo of a man with a flute

Definition: A Scratch Orchestra is a large number of enthusiasts pooling their resources and assembling for action (music making performance edification and pleasure). Note: The word "music" and its derivatives are here not understood to refer exclusively to sound and related phenomena (hearing etc). What they do refer to is flexible and depends entirely on the members of the Scratch Orchestra. This definition is by the founder Cornelius Cardew, in his original draft constitution for a Scratch Orchestra.

Initiated in London, it evolved out of the desire or willingness shown by a large number of people to engage in a common outgoing activity of a basically musical type, and the orchestra was formed simply as a format to epitomize this common urge. The structure outlined was to establish a sort of home base which might be expanded or departed from as members sees fit and the orchestra grows. Some obligation with regard to the constitution may be felt - but not imposed. There are other obligations... to be human, and for every member to feel free to do what he wants in full confidence that what he wants is in accord with "Heavens Wants" (Confucius). This permissive attitude is based on the assumption that anyone joining the orchestra endorses one or more of the ideas implicit in the structure, and respects the desirability for an unwobbling centre of collective intents. The Scratch Orchestra models itself on the spontaneity apparent in nature, so considerable celebration is accorded to individual manners of operation. Outwardly, at times, it would appear that a spirited anarchy possesses players, but inwardly we can all reside in calm equity, confident on the other man's ability to govern himself. Anarchy without, balanced by order within.

At all costs the orchestra format should avoid becoming the tool of anyone's personal ambition, and any member observing a particular tendency is at liberty to insert seminal ideas, or attempt to guide it away from or endorse its direction. Behaviour is not to be censured or and dislike separate: Don't censure what you dislike. Don't dislike what you censure. Proposers of ideas are essential, but they should never be seen as leaders we all face the same way - outwards. If anyone paid any attention to part Scratch Orchestra activities in Auckland, some might harbour reservations as to the worth of rekindling embers. (Members though participants are also observers and audience at the same time.)

"The highs and lows of past action are in accord with the rhythms of human nature and the cycle of the seasons. No change in our environment, physical, social, political etc occurs without experimental ideas being accorded a chance to fail or succeed in the public sphere and not just meet for its own entertainment.

This function will be expressed in the form of, for want of a better word, "concerts". The word concert may be freely extended without regard. Every effort should be made to get the orchestra to cover its own costs, to become a self supporting organism. Generally speaking, members should not expect to derive financial gain through giving performances.

Ideas — These may or may not he considered as part of the constitution, and are designed to foster various aspects of the individuals participation in the orchestra.

1.Scratch books and scratch music Nature study Notes provides this and
2.Improvisation - to develop sense of community and harmony within the orchestra.
3.Popular classics - to attract the "music-loving" public.
4.Compositions - to keep in touch with the abstract and spectulative, philosophy and aesthetics and ensure an experimental character in the orchestra's presentation.
5.Building home made instruments - for the cultivation of know-how.
6.Research projects - to accommodate the scholarly and intellectual.
7.Documentation - to build up some collective self respect.
8.Fire-lighting manual and collection of inspring texts tending to clarify and distill, or enrich and strengthen or shock and change the spirit of the orchestra or its morale.
9.? communication ideas... for stimulating intercourse within the orchestra - vital but undeveloped as yet a particular local concern.

Anyone wishing to join in the orchestra is welcome there is no auditioning unless the joining member wishes. No qualifications are acquired and no experience of music, simply a desire to participate in the general structure outlined or its growth. The S.O. is not a flock of sheep, nor a secret society it is an orchestra. Does that imply a certain measure of discipline? It implies a kind of spontaneous mutual respect which is the same thing only more eloquent. At present I am the "proposer" of the scratch orchestra and am planning irregular concerts in "the public sphere." There is a suggestion of an impending crusade of the Scratch Orchestra peeling off from Auckland and ending in Dunedin in late May for those members interested in dances. The hope is to gather a diverse crowd of enthusiasts to perform "The Great Learning" by Cornelius Cardew for Scratch Orchestra.... text by Confucius (translated by Ezra Pound) through the week of the NZ Universities Arts Festival to be held in Auckland in August. Members are welcome from inside and outside any institution, with or without previous experience. Meetings are held (until a more "public" place is found) at 77 Kelburn Parade each Monday at 7pm. Anyone interested is welcome, and ideas will be expanded at these meetings.

Pass time, if passing time bores you pause to listen. If listening to time passing bores you, invent a distraction to pass time by. Suggested theme for non-musicians — "The left hand does not know what the right is doing".

Cartoon of Nixon