TOKYOSOUNDSCAPE
A NEW SOUND & MUSIC PROJECT 2025_WILL CANNON
Hi !
My name is Will Cannon. I am a young composer, in my final term at Chetham's School of Music Manchester. My first symphony will be performed at Stoller Hall, at the end of June. In September I start my first scholarship year at The Royal College of Music, London. I am mixed British and Indonesian, so my interests reflect that heritage.
This summer I plan to travel to Japan to execute a new project - Tokyo Soundscape.
Using a digital stereo recorder I will gather best quality sounds of Tokyo; chatter and laughter in Yokocho, the cascading sound of Pachinko, a Yamaha assembly line, the whoosh of Shinkansen, polite public transport announcements, auctioneers at the Toyosu fish market, screaming super bikes, jolly greetings in sushi bars, everything Anime, Tokyo Giants fans, booming Taiko drums, rain and bird song in Shinjuku Gardens.
Every city and country has its own unique and extraordinary sounds; the crackling calls to prayer in Jakarta, Bangkok Tuktuk, Big Ben and trains at London Bridge. In 2024 I visited Thailand to record the music of the hill tribes; long neck Karen singers and Hmong flute players. Their music celebrates life and opens a door to their spirit worlds. Tokyo Soundscape will be different; a thrilling, visceral record of raw urban life.
The project will take place over a 15-day period, between July and August, with a month of pre-production research in the UK. I will travel by plane, train and taxi. I am a wheelchair user, so along my journey I want to show that Tokyo is open to all. I will be travelling with my dad, in support, a photographer and film maker. An Instagram platform will be set up with regular travel posts.
At the end of my journey, sampling the sounds I gather, I plan to compose new works, acoustic and electronic. Even a new Tokyo Symphony.
For young travellers, I want to show that Tokyo is a fascinating and achievable destination. I hope sponsors might consider supporting me, in some way, for my new project.
WILL CANNON
07565 601778
Manchester, June 2025.