Hofstra Drama 20 – Sound for the Theatre

1. 04/13/2023 – 5:55 PM – outside Shapiro Hall
2. Far away: the Hofstra shuttle, birds chirping 
3. Medium: the wind blowing, a squirrel, people talking, cars driving
4. Closest: a Hofstra band playing music, the conductor speaking
5. The sound level is high.
6. Descriptor: Musical
7. Essential sounds: wind blowing, Hofstra band, conductor

Date: 4/14/23

Location: my dorm in VP (7th floor, windows open), playing guitar

Far sounds: cars driving below, engines revving, people talking and laughing in the parking lot

Medium sounds: my roommate laughing at whatever she’s watching

Close sounds: my guitar playing, me singing, typing in the breaks, my laptop fan

Sound description/level: It’s loud for a dorm but quiet for a song, if that makes sense. When I’m playing, the guitar and the song I’m singing are pretty loud, but when I stop it suddenly becomes extremely quiet in the room.

One word: Musical

Most important sounds: guitar, singing, roommate laughing

1. 4/14/23 in my dorm on the phone with my family

2. Farthest Away: People talking in the hall, my dad frying something on the stove, my dogs barking outside (also via the call)

3. Medium Range: My neighbor’s door opening and closing, my mom shouting across the kitchen so I can hear her, the trees scraping up against my window

4. Closest: My HVAC unit blowing loudly (and uselessly), my sister talking to me, the sound of rustling every time I move around

5. Sound Level: Loud (because of my family)

6. Sound Activity: Constant

7. One Word: Chaotic

8. Essential Sounds: My dad frying something, my mom shouting across the kitchen so I can hear her, and my sister talking to me

April 14th, 5:00pm – my dorm with the door wide open

Farthest Away: people talking down the hall, sirens from outside

Medium Range: My roommate moving around on her bed and the sound of the HVAC blowing out air on high, a door closing a few rooms away from me

Closest: the paper towel dispenser, the bathroom door opening and closing

Sound Level: mostly a medium sound level with the paper towels and doors being able to drown out the HVAC just for a split second.

Sound Activity: Inconsistent. The background noises go in and out with the HVAC being the only sound that is constant

Description: Mundane

Essential Sounds:

• HVAC
• Paper Towel Dispenser
• Roommate moving around on her bed

Location: Panera Bread

Sounds Heard: Background Music, People Talking, Dishes Being Moved Around in the Kitchen, Paper Rustling, Beeping from a Kitchen Appliance, Someone Slurping Their Drink

1- Backyard of off campus home, 12:06pm, 04/14/2023

2- farthest away sounds – car driving by, ambulance siren, different car starting, honking, airplane above, hum of traffic on a nearby street

3- medium range – chorus of birds chirping, air conditioning whirl, rustling of bushes, distant voices from inside the house and the next door backyard, car alarm

4- closest sounds – my sniffles (allergy season is upon us), the tapping and swishing of my metal straw against the metal coffee cup, buzzing of bees, tapping of foot on bench

5- it is relatively noise provoking, considering its generally calm demeanor. Lot of random noises coming together to really create the soundscape.
6- lively

7- birds chirping, metal straw, buzzing of bees

Date: 4/13

Location: LHComm classroom

Far Sounds: Professor talking through the wall

Medium Sounds: people shifting in their seats, sniffling, feet shuffling on the ground, people typing on laptops

Close Sounds: Professor reading a text, people breathing behind me

Sound Description/Level: relatively low, nothing too loud or overbearing, just a Professor reading to his class, and them listening

One Word: studious

Most Important Sounds: Professor reading

Date: 4/11 at 4:00 pm

Location: a bench on the path between Breslin and LHComm

Far Sounds: wind blowing through the trees, cars on the Hempstead Turnpike, distant chatter of students.

Medium Sounds: doors opening and closing, cars driving by in the parking lot, keychain clinking, fabric rustling.

Close Sounds: footsteps of someone walking by, breathing in and out, leaves rustling in the tree behind me.

Sound Description/Level: There are not very many loud or startling sounds; it is a very calm and soothing atmosphere in this sort of alleyway between buildings. The breeze is the only constant sound, and even that is minimalistic and not very overwhelming. It’s a nice escape from the loud hustle and bustle of campus.

One Word: peaceful

Most Important Sounds: wind in the trees, cars on the turnpike, footsteps walking by.

April 12th, 5:34pm, Hofstra Pride Park.  

Furthest: Distant cars on Hempstead Turnpike, tree branches/leaves swaying in the wind. 

Medium: Birds chirping/singing, car doors slamming, car motor very loudly speeding down the road, people holding conversations. 

Closest: Me breathing, moving my feet in the grass. 

Sound level is extremely varied, ranging from distant and peaceful sounds of bird calls to very loud, souped up cars. Amount of sound activity is at a medium range. It’s not too quiet but not too loud all the time which cuts it down to a “medium”. 

One Word Description: Animated.

Essential Sounds: 

1. Birds chirping 
2. Cars moving 
3. People talking

Location: Passover sedar at Morgan’s family’s house. In the living room with about 20 people, young and old.

Sounds: Singing, laughing, rustling of the tablecloth, people chatting