Our fundraising is chugging along, thanks to the families that have mailed a check or donated online. Did you know that families that donate $100 or more will be able download and listen to 'high-quality' audio recordings from each concert? 

"During the initial days of Hamsadhwani, though the audio quality in the hall was acceptable, recording the live performances was a bit of a challenge," says Naga, our resident sound engineer / President. "We had tried the audio recorders used in the classes to record, but the recording quality was not acceptable. There were all sorts of noises from static to a baby crying during a niraval. Great performances like Delhi Sunderrajan-sir's Sobillu, Nishant Chandran's Madyamavathi, Ramakrishnan Murthi's RTP went without any recording. I could mention them just from my memory, such was the impact," he rues.

Read his blog post to see how we tried various alternatives until we finally solved the problem. All this to make sure you and your children can listen to quality music. After all, the sound of music captures the integrity of the musician. And maybe touches your soul.

The fundraising needle is moving slowly but surely. If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to do your part to support the community and musicians.

Hamsadhwani's concerts uses the sound system owned by the Swaramanjari School of Music. During the initial days of Hamsadhwani, though the audio quality in the hall was acceptable, recording the live performances was a bit of a challenge. We had tried the audio recorders used in the classes to record, but the recording quality was not acceptable. There were all sort of noises from static to a baby crying during a niraval. Great performances like Delhi Sunderrajan-sir's Sobillu, Nishant Chandran's Madyamavathi, Ramakrishnan Murthi's RTP went without any recording. I could mention them just from my memory, such was the impact. Luckily we were able to get some recordings for other artists through their parents and friends, but they were not close to what we call 'CD quality'.

                It was obvious that the recording had to be done by getting the output from the sound mixer. We were using a Xenyx 1202 (12-input 2-bus) mixer from Behringer. It had four xlr mic inputs which we thought was ideal for concerts like the ones we have. There were outputs for main speakers and monitors. The performance was great. We felt like a college student on a corolla. But we did not have any gear for taking the monitor output and providing a feed to a recorder. Our choices for recording were either a voice recorder or a laptop. But for using a laptop we needed a proper interface.

                Thats when we turned our attention to Alesis iO Dock Pro. The advantage is that we could plug an iPad 2 into it and it takes the feed directly from the sound mixer. We tested to our heart's content and the sound quality was great. On concert day, the setup was done ahead of time, giving us some time for testing the recording using GarageBand. We were all set, or so we thought. The GarageBand app (or any other track recording app on iPad) would not record for more than 5 - 12 minutes. They are ideal for recording a song, not our concerts. Recording hours of concerts in high quality required a lot of RAM which only a desktop or a laptop can give. Sadly, we returned the dock.

                The inability to record live concerts is one of the factors that pushed me to buy the Behringer XENYX X2442USB Premium 24-Input sound mixer with USB output to record to a computer. Compared to the old corolla this is like an SUV with eight-cylinder turbo-charged engine. It took a special lecture demonstration from our sound guru Ramamurthi-sir to initiate me and to start using it. On concert day, I connected the USB output to my laptop and started recording it using Audacity. Sadly, my laptop was too weak for this turbo prop jet engine, and the recording stopped in half an hour. Again for recording Carnatic concerts, you need a powerful laptop with ample RAM. Now it’s time to upgrade my laptop...NOT!

                Luckily we were shown how recording is done, with a Sony recorder that took quarter inch output from the sound mixer, by Venkatraman-sir (Vignesh and Gugan's dad). My sound guru, Ramamurthi-sir, had been advising about it for several days, but seeing that in action was a turning point. We settled with the TASCAM recorder that looks like a regular voice recorder on steroids. It takes a 1/4 inch input from a sound mixer and records on SD card in mp3 or wav format. That solves all our problems that we have so far. We have been recording with this setup since Sunderrajan-sir's second concert. The processes to produce finished tracks is a little time-consuming but its achievable with my nonjaan laptop. The output levels can be checked while recording, but there are few things to take care from the sound mixer too. We have not mastered all the options, but just enough to produce a good quality recording to listen to. From the time you lay on the bed until you lose yourself in the concert and fall asleep.

It is week two of our fundraising campaign and we've hit 30% of our goal! Thank you to all those who've contributed so far. Your support is especially crucial as it motivates others to pitch in as well.

Most of us have an intuitive appreciation for music. New findings in brain research and cognitive development have shown that learning music can enhance cognitive ability, creative thinking, verbal memory, even IQ, among other benefits. No wonder that the musicians who perform at Hamsadhwani are also quite successful in their respective academic pursuits and careers.

In this context, we're happy to announce that an interactive Q&A session will follow every concert going forward. Encourage your children to discuss topics such as learning styles, practice methods, time management, opportunities to pursue music in college, etc. or anything else that might pique their interest. We're sure that children will connect with the performers and derive inspiration and confidence from the interaction.

Together, lets create a musically-enriched environment for our children and the community. Pitch in with your support today! Donations can be made online or via postal mail too!

We are very excited to inform you that, starting with the next concert and going forward, we will have a post-concert interactive session with the young musicians performing in the concert. Students, parents and rasikas are welcome to discuss topics such as 

• learning styles, 
• practice methods, 
• concert experiences in India, 
• learning experience from teachers in India, 
• time management, 
• opportunities to pursue music in college, 

and various other aspects of music. Feel free to bring up and discuss all your questions.

We are proud to note that all the young musicians performing at HCMA are invariably strong in academics. They never fail to attest to the fact that music gives them the focus and discipline.

Stay back after each concert for a memorable interaction with Hamasadhwani musicians.

Our 2014 Fundraising Campaign is well under way and a trickle of donations has started coming in. Many thanks to those of you who acted promptly.

Do you ever wonder why live concerts are important, in particular, for your children? We approached and posed the question to two very eminent musicians that we know. 

"What we attain by listening to music is unparalleled," says Sri. Delhi P Sunderrajan. "The guru teaches you the principles of a raaga and how it can be presented. Only when you listen to a concert do you get to know how these principles are implemented practically on stage."

Mridangam maestro Sri. Neyveli R Narayanan concurs. He believes that "techniques like fingering, posture, rare strokes, are all visible only in a live concert. Accompanying any artist is a challenge by itself, and listening to a variety of live concerts is key to understanding the dimensions and depth of music."

They were kind enough to record and share their thoughts in these videos posted on our blog. Many artistes who performed at HCMA also performed in India during the music season, winning recognition and accolades from the public. Hamsadhwani proudly makes such high-quality live concerts accessible to you.

Here's your chance to promote the local music community and encourage young artistes. For your convenience, donations can be made online or via mail, if not in person.

What are the benefits of listening to live concerts? We approached and posed the question to two of the most eminent musicians and amazing teachers that we know. They are renowned and respected artistes from India who have been training young artistes in USA and India for many years. They were kind enough to record and share their thoughts in these videos.

Visit his website here: http://www.delhisunderrajan.com

Visit his website here: http://www.neyvelinarayanan.com/

Thank you very much Sri Delhi Sunderrajan sir and Sri Neyveli Narayanan sir. Your words are invaluable and we're sure our parents and children will take your advice to heart!.

Our Hamsadhwani musicians have won various Awards and Recognitions at the Chennai December Music Festival 2013. We are very honoured to share the great news with our Rasikas.

ARUN RAMAMURTHI

• BEST VIOLINIST AWARD AT PARTHASARATHY SABHA CHENNAI
  

ANIRUDH VENKATESH

• BEST CONCERT AWARD 2013 AT THE HCL CONCERT SERIES MUSIC ACADEMY AND SELECTED TO PERFORM AT THE MUSIC ACADEMY MAIN HALL FOR THE MUSIC SEASON 2014.
  

RAMAKRISHNAN MURTHY

• SHANMUKHA SIRONMANI AWARD AT SHANMUKANANDHA HALL, MUMBAI
  
• BEST VOCALIST AWARD AT THE MUSIC ACADEMY CHENNAI
  
• MLV AWARD FOR THE YEAR 2013 AT PARTHASARATHY SABHA, CHENNAI.

VIGNESH VENKATARAMAN

• BEST MRIDANGIST AWARD AT THE SPIRIT OF YOUTH CONCERT SERIES 2013 MUSIC ACADEMY CHENNAI.
  

Wish you all a very Happy New Year! 

Hamsadhwani Carnatic Music Academy (HCMA) is what it is today because of supporters like yourself. What started as a small group's initiative has become a community movement. The concerts have provided a great platform for young musicians and an opportunity for the community to have immersive musical experiences.

Since our humble beginnings, Hamsadhwani has been funded by donations from the community. During 2013, some donors recommended that the fundraising be limited to a short 'campaign window' with a funding goal and regular updates to track progress. This idea has been implemented in 2014.

Yes. The 2014 Fundraising Campaign is here!

• The campaign begins today, Friday, Jan 10th.
• Over the next 8 weeks, weekly emails, facebook posts, and blogs will keep you updated on the progress.
• The goal is to raise at least $6000, our budget for 2014.
• The budget covers the 7 concerts that have already been scheduled.
• It accommodates one additional 'floating' concert that will be scheduled during the year.
• Please note that 100% of the funds raised are used to pay for actual expenses like hall rental and artiste compensation only. HCMA's organizers and volunteers make sure that we have near-zero overhead costs.
• There is no minimum, but the suggested donation is $100 per family.
• All donations will be tax exempt, pending HCMA's 501-3(c) application approval (expected in early 2014).

Please support your music community and young musicians. Donate online or mail a check today!