MUSIC

Houston Arts Alliance - Alliance Gallery presents Stuart Hinds - Overtone Singer and Composer, at 8pm Thursday, December 8.

Stuart Hinds is active as composer, singer, choral conductor, and teacher. The majority of his compositions involve the use of overtone singing, including works for solo voice, for voice with instruments, and choral works. Hinds has presented concerts, lecture-demonstrations, and workshops throughout the US and Europe. He is a published author and composer, with articles in the Journal of Singing and Choral Journal, and choral compositions with Friedrich Hofmeister Musikverlag. Hinds earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in music composition from The University of Michigan.

In recent years, overtone singing has become more widely known and appreciated. Overtone singing can be heard in pop music, movie soundtracks, and even prime time television commercials. This rise in popularity is largely due to successful tours and recordings by musicians representing the two major styles: Tibetan Buddhist chant and Tuvan/Mongolian throat singing.

In the West, an increasing number of musicians are employing the techniques in their work. All these styles have in common an essentially drone-based musical texture with an unchanging fundamental pitch and a melody of overtones.

Stuart Hinds is unique among overtone singers for the level of technical mastery and fluency he has achieved. Hinds takes overtone singing to a new expressive level. In a quantum leap beyond traditional drone-based singing, Hinds is able to vocally produce two distinct musical lines at the same time. His original compositions stretch the boundaries of overtone singing into a completely new genre of music that can embrace any musical style.

Hinds’ work reflects his classical training, with influences from many musical cultures – a unique style that appeals to a broad range of listeners. One Swedish reviewer wrote that “Hinds is a true master of the technique,” and commented: “I’ve never heard anything like this. . . . This shows a true and uncorrupted artistry. I am glad I came across this CD, which not only gives me musical joy, but also a spiritual uplifting.”