A Stunning, Spooky Display for SFCM’s New Projection Technology

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The Technology and Applied Composition Department’s Halloween concert showcased the stunning lighting and projection upgrades to SFCM’s Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall.

November 6, 2024 by Alex Heigl
A string quartet performs at TAC-O-Ween 2024.

A string quartet performs at TAC-O-Ween 2024.

SFCM isn’t haunted, but one could be forgiven for thinking that after the Conservatory’s Halloween concert. 

The Technology and Applied Composition Department (TAC) took over SFCM’s Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall—its largest performing space—for a concert that demonstrated how the Conservatory’s recent evolving upgrades can take an audience to another world. 

TAC’s innovations didn’t end with the lighting, however: Faculty member Costas Dafnis was playing a custom-built instrument dubbed the “Ghost Plate,” one of many he designs in his free time. The “treat” portion of the evening was well represented by Professional Development Department (PDEC) faculty member Kevin Rogers’ group, Friction Quartet, who played Nicole Lizée’s Juxtapossession, which utilized amplified Ouija boards as well as Pop Rocks. 

Costas Dafnis performs on his custom-made "Ghost Plate."

Faculty member Costas Dafnis performs on a custom-made instrument.

Dean Jonas Wright judges the TAC-O-Ween costume contest.

Dean Jonas Wright judges the TAC-O-Ween costume contest.

Projections featured in the final performance of the night.

Kat "009" Night performs at the TAC Department's Halloween Showcase.

Students and faculty in costume for TAC-O-Ween 2024.

Students and faculty in costume for TAC-O-Ween 2024.

A quintet performs Steve Horowitz's "The Order of Time."

A quintet performs Steve Horowitz's "The Order of Time."

Nicole Lizée's "Juxtapossession" featured amplified Ouija boards.

Manipulated video footage projected as part of a performance.

Nicole Lizée's "Juxtapossession" featured amplified Ouija boards.

Nicole Lizée's "Juxtapossession" featured amplified Ouija boards.

Projections using the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall's recent upgrades.

Projections using the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall's recent upgrades.

The evening’s closing piece was another cross-departmental event: PDEC Chair Kristen Klehr joined Kat “009” Night and the Recording Department’s Emma Markowitz for the evening’s closing piece. Written by Night, the piece utilized Markowitz’s projections timed to certain musical elements, as well as the hall’s Solaframe moving lights’ rotational and pattern capabilities, manned by SFCM Production’s Benjamin C. Brown at the lighting board. 

In honor of the Halloween evening, SFCM’s very own Jonas Wright judged a costume contest among students.  

Learn more about studying Technology and Applied Composition at SFCM.