Natural phenomena are fun
The Sound of Science shows with Freising Music School proved that acoustics can be beautiful! Live music met physics experiments that made sound visible and brought acoustics to life.
Sound of Science is an extraordinary benefit event from the curiocity Science Center, created in collaboration with the City of Freising and Freising Music School. Music and science merge into a unique experience: live music from different ensembles meets fascinating physics experiments, from impressive visualizations to interactive elements.
At the premiere, curiocity co-initiator Kim Ludwig-Petsch and Odilo Zapf, director of Freising Music School, hosted the program. They were joined on stage by Die Tolle Musikschul Band (DTMB), led by Stephan Treutter—a small but fantastic big band.
All proceeds go toward building the curiocity Science Center.
It was a rare opportunity for the audience to bring their understanding of sound into the visible world. Jürgen Wüst, deputy director of the music school and a trumpeter, wholeheartedly tried some unusual approaches: for example, he dipped his trumpet’s bell into soapy liquid, creating not only a huge, long-lasting soap bubble but also a wonderful tone!
Kim’s take on the story of William Tell was stage-worthy: using a homemade pressure bucket that could also be recreated at home, he “shot” a plastic cup off the music school director’s head. The many young audience members loved the appearance of “Darth Vader” accompanied by laser-blast sounds from Star Wars, produced live on stage.
Using a Rubens’ tube, presented in the show as a “giant grill,” Kim made Odilo’s trombone notes visible as standing waves and later made them practically dance to a very cool big-band sound. Natural phenomena and music came together in a pyrotechnic show!
Body percussion with Moritz Knapp, a laser bass solo, Bach’s famous Suite in G major on marimba (Simon Große), an alphorn, the specially arranged Knoff-hoff Dixieland jingle (older viewers may remember the popular ZDF show), and many more show elements proved that physicists love music and musicians enjoy physics. More than 500 people watched—and participated. From a human wave to a screw nut inside a balloon to the audience and band playing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” together, there was plenty for all ages to do!
During the intermission, visitors could also try out the first hands-on exhibits planned for the future curiocity Science Center. Many took the opportunity to experiment with natural phenomena to their hearts’ content.
Photos by Nicolas Keckl
The entire event was organized and run entirely by volunteers. A heartfelt thank-you to the Freising Music School and the City of Freising.
For us, Sound of Science was more than a show. It brought to life our belief that natural phenomena captivate people of every age and can be understood by everyone. All ticket revenue and donations go toward the new curiocity Science Center.