Artist-in-Residence Mike Sperone Performs Compositions for Glockenspiel

Two weeks ago Better Farm welcomed composer and artist Mike Sperone to the betterArt residency program. Referring to sound as his medium, Mike's music runs the spectrum from short and simple to long-form, complex compositions.

"I am influenced by the physics of nature and mathematical formulae used to describe them," Mike told us. "But in such a strict and logical discipline, I also see the inexplicable, seemingly random, and beautiful occurrences which push my art in a likewise direction."



During his time at Better Farm, Mike helped out with finishing touches on our greenhouse, setting up the farm stand each morning, collecting crops from the garden daily, and taking care of our chickens Henrietta, Sissy, and Scarlet. He also proved extremely valuable as a Better Farm ally during Bill Johnston's Pirate Days in Alexandria Bay.

Mike's musical project during his residency was a series of compositions for orchestra bells (glockenspiel) and computer.  "I have used this combination of instruments to create pop music," he said, "but had not yet composed 'serious' or 'classical' music with it. With such a simple instrument as a set of tuned metal plates, and the limitless possibilities that lay inside the computer, I knew there was a lot I can say with this."

Say it he did! Last Friday Mike followed a sunset dinner on Butterfield Lake with an outdoor concert at Better Farm featuring his compositions. It was the perfect conclusion to a great couple of weeks having Mike on board at the Farm. Best of luck to him and his musical career!

To learn more about Better Farm's betterArt residency program, click here.