Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work developing WAVES, an interactive digital education program exploring the science behind sound. Students will learn about the scientific and musical properties of sound waves (amplitude/dynamics, frequency/pitch, etc.) by participating in interactive activities using app-based technology to visualize learning objectives.

We are fortunate to have formed a longstanding partnership with the College of Engineering and Center for Civic Innovation at the University of Notre Dame led by Professor Jay Brockman. As this new project was coming together, Jay connected TCP Ensemble member Sean Connors to the team at the Sakaue Lab at White Field Research Laboratory on the Notre Dame campus. At Sakaue Lab, high-powered video cameras were used to capture waves moving through instruments in super slow motion.

Watch Sean hit a cymbal in real time:

And now watch waves move through the cymbal in super slow motion:

A few behind-the-scenes photos from the video shoot:

Special thanks to researcher Mitsu Hasegawa for his generous assistance with this project.

Click here to learn more about the Center for Civic Innovation at the University of Notre Dame.

Click here to learn more about the Sakaue Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame.

We can’t wait to share more of what we discovered with students across the country starting in Fall 2021! This program is ideal for students in 3rd-8th grades. Interested in bringing WAVES to your school or community? Contact Reba Cafarelli for more information: [email protected]

Click here to learn about all of TCP’s education programs.