Singing Maze - the loon - the swan - angels - the maze

Commissioned by Sound Travels in 2003, the Singing Maze is a "sonic treasure hunt" that took place on Toronto's Centre Island. It is a whimsical fairy tale in which riddles are offered at various sites across the island. The story of a girl who metamorphosed into a bird unfolds, as the riddles point to fantastical sights and sounds of birds, musicians playing and singing. Using low watt radio devices to create sonic illusions, participants are gradually led into a shrubbery maze where mysterious voices colour their path.

The riddles refer to different birds that actually frequent Toronto's islands; the pigeon, swan and loon. The solution to each riddle can be found by an electroacoustic soundtrack made from the sounds of each bird, played on a cd player or radio. The music is playful and somewhat irreverant, since the idea of "purely natural sounds" in this environment so close to our nation's largest city is unrealistic.

The Singing Maze is based loosely on the idea of "soundwalk," as in the practice of acoustic ecology. However, in this case, participants and children of all ages are encouraged to find the solution to the riddle through acute listening. This piece was created as a response to the gruesome murder of a young girl in Toronto in 2003, creating pandemic fear for childrens' safety. The Singing Maze is intended to give a secure context in which to wander, hide and discover.

1. HMMM
2. Singing Maze, 2003
3. Cell Phone Ballet, 2000
4. Counting Game, 1995
5. NeverAlways, 1993