Os tímpanos como instrumento solista no contexto da percussão de altura definida

Com este projecto pretende-se abordar uma vertente no estudo dos Tímpanos que, ao longo da sua história, tem sido marginal, relativamente à sua utilização "normal" de instrumento de orquestra - A utilização de Tímpanos como instrumento solista, especialmente na situação de solista não concertista. Para a persecução deste objectivo será traçada a trajectória evolutiva do instrumento ao longo da História da Música, tanto do ponto de vista das suas características de construção como da sua utilização pelos compositores ao longo do tempo. Não pode, por isso, deixar de ser feita uma abordagem da utilização dos Tímpanos em Orquestra, pois foi a utilização orquestral o "motor" da evolução do instrumento. Em complemento ao atrás enunciado, será igualmente desenvolvido o tema das preocupações de respeito pelo contexto histórico aplicado ao caso específico dos Tímpanos. Será igualmente feita uma tentativa de identificação de existência de exemplares antigos em Bandas de Música amadoras, através da realização de um inquérito. Por fim será traçado o quadro geral da utilização dos Tímpanos em Portugal nos dias de hoje. Atenção especial será dada a composições onde o objecto de estudo deste projecto está, mais directamente, em evidência. É este o caso de Marche (1685) dos irmãos Philidor, de um conjunto de Concertos e Sinfonias para múltiplos Tímpanos do final do século XVIII e das Eight Pieces for Four Timpani (1950/1966) de Elliott Carter. No caso da Marche será feita uma pequena análise e realizada uma edição moderna. No caso das peças para Tímpanos de Elliott Carter, será analisada com mais profundidade a peça Moto Perpetuo. Até ao final do século XVIII os Tímpanos foram, quase exclusivamente, os únicos instrumentos de Percussão usados na Música Erudita Ocidental. A partir do século XIX a secção da Percussão foi enriquecida com inúmeros novos elementos. Entre eles, novos instrumentos de Percussão de altura definida a que os Tímpanos pertencem. Será, tal como para os Tímpanos, traçado o seu trajecto de evolução e assim será completado o quadro actual da Percussão de altura definida. O Recital concretiza os principais pontos explorados no trabalho escrito, através da apresentação de um conjunto de obras apresentadas por ordem cronológica: -Marche de André e Jacques Philidor (1685) - Eight Pieces for Four Timpani de Elliott Carter (1950/1966) (March, Saeta, Moto Perpetuo, Recitative) - Concerto pour Percussion et Orquestre de André Jolivet (1958) (andamentos I, II e III) - OMAR Due pezzi per Vibrafono de Franco Donatoni (1985) ABSTRACT: Investigate the marginal use of the Timpani as a solo instrument is the main object of this study. ln order to achieve this main goal, we will point out the evolution of the instrument along Music History. We will focus both: the main characteristics of its construction and the way they have been used by composers. Bearing these facts in mind, we will also center our attention on the way that Timpani have been used at Orchestras, which had certainly leaded to the development of the instrument we are studying. At the same time, we will study historical respect and performance, by contextualizing the different historical periods of Timpani. It is also important to have information about the quantity of Timpani used at amateur musical bands in Portugal, mainly in what concerns ancient instruments. These elements will allow us to draw a general idea about the way Timpani are used in Portugal. ln order to have concrete examples of the Timpani as a solo instrument, we will analyze the following compositions: Marche de Timba/les (1685) by André and Jacques Philidor; The ensemble of Concerts and Symphonies for multiple Timpani from the end of the XVIIIth century; The Eight Pieces for Four Timpani (1950/1966) by Elliott Carter. Bearing in mind that other Defined Pitch Percussion Instruments have emerged at the beginning of the XIXth century, we will also study the evolution of those instruments. The Recital will materialize the main aspects we have focused at our written work and already mentioned above. The presentation will follow a chronological sequence as indicated: Marche de Timballes by André and Jacques Philidor (1685) Eight Pieces for Four Timpani by Elliott Carter (1950/1966) (March, Saeta, Moto Perpetuo, Recitative) - Concerto pour Percussion et Orquestre by André Jolivet (1958) (Movements I, II, III) Omar Due Pezzi per Vibrafono by Franco Donatoni (1985)

The role of microcomputer-based laboratory display in supporting the construction of new understanding in kinematics

Teachers' failure to utilise MBL activities more widely may be due to not recognising their capacity to transform the nature of laboratory activities to be more consistent with contemporary constructivist theories of learning. This research aimed to increase understanding of how MBL activities specifically designed to be consistent with a constructivist theory of learning support or constrain student construction of understanding. The first author conducted the research with his Year 11 physics class of 29 students. Dyads completed nine tasks relating to kinematics using a Predict-Observe-Explain format. Data sources included video and audio recordings of students and teacher during four 70-minute sessions, students' display graphs and written notes, semi-structured student interviews, and the teacher's journal. The study identifies the actors and describes the patterns of interactions in the MBL. Analysis of students' discourse and actions identified many instances where students' initial understanding of kinematics were mediated in multiple ways. Students invented numerous techniques for manipulating data in the service of their emerging understanding. The findings are presented as eight assertions. Recommendations are made for developing pedagogical strategies incorporating MBL activities which will likely catalyse student construction of understanding.

Skill development for innovative procurement environments in construction

The construction industry should be a priority to all governments because it impacts economically and socially on all citizens. Sector turnover in industrialised economies typically averages 8-12% of GDP. Further, construction is critical to economic growth. Recent Australian studies estimate that a 10% gain in efficiency in construction translates to a 2.5% increase in GDP Inefficiencies in the Australian construction industry have been identified by a number of recent studies modelling the building process. They have identified potential savings in time of between 25% and 40% by reducing non-value added steps in the process. A culture of reform is now emerging in the industry – one in which alternate forms of project delivery are being trialed. Government and industry have identified Alliance Contracting as a means to increase efficiency in the construction industry as part of a new innovative procurement environment. Alliance contracting requires parties to form relationships and work cooperatively to provide a more complete service. This is a significant cultural change for the construction industry, with its well-known adversarial record in traditional contracting. Alliance contracts offer enormous potential benefits, but the Australian construction industry needs to develop new skills to effectively participate in the new relationship environment. This paper describes a collaborative project identifying skill needs for clients and construction professionals to more effectively participate in an increasingly sophisticated international procurement environment. The aim of identifying these skill needs is to assist industry, government, and skill developers to prepare the Australian construction workforce for the future. The collaborating Australian team has been fortunate to secure the Australian National Museum in Canberra as its live case study. The Acton Peninsula Development is the first major building development in the world awarded on the basis of a joint alliance contract.