Soundscapes – Ethnographic & Documentary Projects by Students at Amherst College

Dialog Talk: A Film about Dakota Gill (2023)

May 2, 2023 Asha

In a room of thrusting bodies and young people in a Saturday night frenzy, Dialog Talk (the Western Massachusetts musician Dakota Gill) possesses a single-minded focus on his craft, with an understated oblivion to the chaos of his surroundings.

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Good Practice: Buddhist Chanting in Pelham, Massachusetts (2023)

May 2, 2023 Asha

Wat Santivana is situated quietly in the town of Pelham, Massachusetts. Seeming unassuming and small, the Buddhist temple, or rather, the place of practice, since it also is home to Poarn Leak and his fellow monk, is an important part of the constellation of Cambodian Buddhist communities in New England. This film documents Poarn Leak’s practice of chanting every evening.

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Hampshire Young People’s Chorus: A Generation of New Musicians (2023)

May 2, 2023 Asha

Nested in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley, the Hampshire Young People’s Chorus (YPC) has helped kids develop an understanding and love of music since 1999. Kids travel from across the valley to meet weekly and delve into music in different languages, from across the world.

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interior of St. Nicholas Church, Enfield

St. Nicholas: An Orthodox Parish (2023)

May 2, 2023 Asha

St. Nicholas Church serves as the place of worship for many Orthodox people, both Russian and not, within the broader Springfield, Massachusetts area. Services happen throughout the week, but the most important and highly attended service is the Divine Liturgy, which is celebrated on Sunday mornings.

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The Skeleton Crew: On the Amateur Ethos within Amity House (2023)

May 2, 2023 Asha

Amity House is one of the most affordable living options in Amherst. It allows house members to dedicate more of their lives to their art than might otherwise be possible. In a series of interviews with Zach, a self-proclaimed amateur and member of the house, we are shown a facet of the multidimensional space.

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Tip Your Bartenders (2023)

May 2, 2023 Asha

Queer venues like Majestic Saloon and 10 Forward contribute to the local queer community by hosting regular events that sustain the community and center queer BIPOC performers and audiences. This film explores the spatial complexities of those venues and communities.

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What Was Noise (2023)

May 2, 2023 Asha

An exploration of the meta-sensory nature of how modern youth navigate our troubled world. Absurdist humor, abrasive music, and a delight in performance as standing (sometimes kneeling) affront conjure images of that confrontationally obtuse ruckus-causing lineage: the cult of the electric guitar.

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