Andrew McKenna Music

Wallace and Gromit’s World of Cracking Ideas

Andrew McKenna — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:48:03 +0000

In addition to my work for LEGOLAND Parks, I have also provided audio packages for Wallace and Gromit’s World of Cracking Ideas, which opened at the Science Museum in London, before embarking on a UK, and now, worldwide tour.

This superb exhibit brings guests into the home, garden and street neighbourhood of Wallace and Gromit, and features realistic audio soundscapes and original music provided by AMM.

Theme Parks and Attractions

Andrew McKenna — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:35:54 +0000

I have been a part of the development of several LEGOLAND Parks since 1995. I moved to the UK initially to join the startup team for Windsor, before moving to the California park, holding both operational management and creative development roles. I have delivered music and soundscape packages for Windsor and California, and in 2004 I delivered a complete range of parkwide effects, including talking model voice overs, sound design and music tracks for the brand new LEGOLAND Deutschland. This also involved the development of script scenarios and recording of voice overs (in German!).

2011 featured the opening of the Atlantis Submarine Voyage, a world-first underwater attraction at LEGOLAND Windsor. I was commissioned to provide original music for the experience, as well as record and edit voice tracks and sound effects throughout the attraction.

In September 2012, I completed another package of original music and soundscapes, including voice overs (this time in English) for the new LEGOLAND Malaysia.

Ca Ira

Andrew McKenna — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:03:35 +0000

Roger Waters brought his opera Ca Ira (There is Hope) to the stage in 2006 with a World Premiere performance in Poznan, Poland with further performances in Kiev, Ukraine. The Poznan event was broadcast live by Poland’s TVP and involved a cast of over 200 singers and circus performers, a 70 piece orchestra (from the Teatr Wielki opera house) and a choir of 100 adults and 50 children. It was a mind blowing technical and musical experience, unlike any production I’ve ever been involved with. The orchestra, conducted by Rick Wentworth, sat on a stage to the left of the main stage, with the choral forces massed on a stage to the right. News about any future performance dates will follow as soon as they are confirmed.

Watch the clip of the Slaves song “Silver, Sugar, Indigo” on Youtube. You’ll catch me on the stage in the background, to the right of the stage action.

Lyon Cartoon Movie Forum

Andrew McKenna — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:45:32 +0000

I visited Lyon with my colleagues at Lani Pixels as we presented an animated 3D film concept currently in development entitled The Secret of Halloween. It was a great chance to see some of the terrific animation talent from around Europe, and to meet Producers and Distributors from around the globe. You will be able to see a preview of The Secret of Halloween concept teaser here soon.

Purcell meets Sibelius

Andrew McKenna — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:30:13 +0000

I’m currently enjoying accompanying rehearsals for the BBC Singers and the Berkshire Youth Choir under the direction of Robert Hollingworth, as they prepare for a performance of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. A masterclass and performance takes place February 15th, 2013 at Greyfriars Church in Reading, with St. James’ Baroque accompanying.

The project has also involved me getting to grips with the Figured Bass functions in Sibelius 7 as I take a shortcut to creating a rehearsal score at A=415hz Baroque pitch (i.e. down a semi-tone)! Transcribing this score into Sibelius has been a great way to appreciate the detail of Purcell’s vocal and instrumental writing, and I highly recommend this as a method of study for your favourite score. Sibelius has made all aspects of score writing much more efficient, and version 7 was a major re-design of an already powerful package. If you write music and you haven’t explored this software yet, it should be on your list.

Oxford University Press and Faber Music: New Publications

Andrew McKenna — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:19:31 +0000

Oxford University Press have released Pianoworks Duets Books 1 and 2, available on Amazon. Andrew McKenna Music provided the audio tracks for the rehearsal CD accompanying the book, allowing students to learn both the Primo and Secondo parts to these delightful duets by Alan and Jan Bullard.

https://andrewmckennamusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Faber-Music-Best-of-Singing.jpg” alt=”Faber Music’s Best Of Singing” width=”201″ height=”300″ />And in the summer of 2012, Faber Music released The Best of Singing, a series of three books for vocalists, following the ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall exam repertoire (also available on Amazon). AMM also provided the accompaniment tracks for this popular series of books.

The LEGO Story

Andrew McKenna — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:14:52 +0000

The LEGO Company celebrated it’s 80th birthday in 2012 and I had the pleasure of writing the score for this lovely video of the company’s history. Collaborating with the digital animation magicians at Lani Pixels in Denmark, this was a labour of love in many ways, . You can watch/listen to the video below.