New ensemble Holographic brings high art to the public

Meshing classic composition with new wave electronica, the musical ensemble Holographic can now be experienced in a venue void of etiquette.

Today and Friday, the Jacobs School of Music’s new extracurricular music ensemble, Holographic, will perform at Russian Recording and Bloomington High School North.

Group co-founder Jeremy Podgursky said he defines Holographic as “new music,” or contemporary concert sound that is not cleanly defined by any previous music period.

And even though new music has had a place in the music school for many years, this weekend, the ensemble will take its music to the Bloomington community.

“We wanted to take this idea of new, high-art music and take it out to the public because oftentimes we believe the public doesn’t know about it,” Podgursky said. “They’re not aware of it. They don’t necessarily feel comfortable coming to a conservatory’s concert hall.”

Having toured and recorded with his punk-rock band the Pennies, which opened for bands such as My Morning Jacket and Superchunk, Podgursky said Holographic strives to recreate the public’s opinion of this rather obscure genre.

“My experience with my rock band — setting up tours, dealing with record labels, dealing with all that stuff — that’s the kind of spirit I want to have with what we’re doing with this ensemble,” Podgursky said.

With more than 1,100 concerts in the music school each year, Podgursky said he recognizes the difficulties an audience has in picking and choosing which events to attend.

“If you’re curious of what people are doing right now with notated music, then, where do you start?” Podgursky asked. “Our goal is to go out into Bloomington at first and play in different venues off-campus and, basically, take it to the people and do educational outreach.”

In addition to the performance at Bloomington High School North, the ensemble will put on master classes for music students at the school.

And, as Holographic is comprised entirely of student volunteers, Podgursky said he tries to make the time commitment as small as possible for this ensemble. 

Junior Michael Acosta, a violin player in the ensemble, said the rehearsals have not been too tedious or numerous; however, challenges come with playing alongside recorded music.

“It’s difficult to incorporate live music,” Acosta said. “But I enjoy the process of getting ready and linking two worlds.”

Co-conductor Ben Bolter said some of the challenges of playing with recorded music are to remain musically in-sync and establish balance. Bolter also said another challenge about an ensemble such as Holographic is dealing with the tradition already established for notated music.

“With new music, you have to spend time making people believe something new because there’s no tradition behind it,” Bolter said. “Also you’re dealing with alternative techniques on the instrument.”

These traits could include tapping a wind instrument or pulling a string extra hard.
 
Bolter said he has really enjoyed his experiences with the ensemble and that he also looks forward to the awareness that Holographic will bring to the community outside of the music school.

“It’s a bait-and-switch,” he said, laughing.

Podgursky said he also hopes to have a receptive response from the community to this formal music style.

“People in public hear Holographic, and they get the itch, and they come on campus,” Podgursky said.

Holographic’s primary purpose is to make “high art” music for the people.

“We don’t believe you need a formal education. We believe that this music is visceral and exciting,” Podgursky said.