Hello Musicians,
We are excited to return to Black Rock City in 2024. Our ongoing commitment to gather, socialize, teach and spread the joy of music is stronger than ever!
This year the Ambient Musicians are focusing on gathering for drum circles and jam sessions. Life is practice & practice makes “better”! This is where Musicians & Drummers really get to know one another, in a Jam Sesh/ Drum Circle, where the experience of that synergistic & synchronistic unity in our musical community joins with a new and vibrant energy and becomes one song, one rhythm, one heart.
We are also working on some special music for the Processional, and an easier process for creating our Burn Night Pods so that we can have even more fun in unity being the heartbeat of the great circle during Burn Night!
Want to learn more? Join us on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bmdrum
I know everyone is excited to sign up as an Ambient Musician for the 2024 season, so let’s get to it:
Each interested Musician is required to fill out a Submission Form and attach a link to an Audition Video. This includes returning Ambient Drummers, Group/Pod Leaders, and Community Drummers. The purpose of the audition videos is so that we can assess your current skill level and style, in order to place you in the best possible groups/pods! The video needs to be current. Previous years submission videos and performance videos will not be accepted.
The video should incorporate the following aspects:
- Perform 3 different rhythms/motifs (for one minute straight with each rhythm/motifs). This will demonstrate your ability to hold a steady beat, improvise, and transition.
- Total Video should be a minimum of 3 minutes, and a maximum of 5 minutes.
- Any style, rhythm or music is acceptable. We just want to see what you are capable of.
- Try to perform with the instrument that you intend to use on-playa.
- Louder instruments are encouraged.
- Keep it pure. No edited videos will be accepted.
We highly encourage other instruments, especially since we are creating something new for the Processional this year! If you are using an instrument other than a drum, you must be comfortable performing with drummers as this is typically the primary make-up of this group. If you are submitting a video using an instrument other than drums, you are welcome to include a drum beat with your instrument in your video submission if you’d like. One way to do this so we can see your transitions is to pre-record 3 different drum beats and play along with that recording. Or, another way to accomplish this is to invite a drummer friend to join you on your video, and practice three different beats together before you record. Be creative and have fun!
On the form you will also be asked: Why do you want to be an Ambient Musician? This question will be used as a secondary screening process, so please be sure to include what being a part of this community means to you.
Here is the link to the official Ambient Musician Sign Up Form for 2024:
https://forms.gle/3AKsSTV91dSggRzS6
The form is active now. Deadline to submit is: June 1, 2024 at midnight 12:00am (PST)
From your Audition Form & Video Submissions, we will choose 50 Musicians who will be eligible for a discounted performers ticket. For those not chosen, there is still a chance to be involved and perform. We will have OPEN ON-PLAYA SIGN UPS for up to 30 additional spots. We will not know exactly how many spots will be open until the Fire Groups are chosen and we can assess their needs for Musicians. But typically, this increases our total population to nearly 80 total performers.
We will be accepting Ambient Musician Sign Ups beginning now through June 1st at midnight 12:00am (PST). This will give us ample time to review your auditions and make our choices. It also gives us time to incorporate some exciting musical changes, and welcome everyone’s ideas for our costume aesthetic as well as other ideas. Those who are chosen will be notified mid-to-end of June.
This is an evolving process, and we are trying to make it fair and equitable for all interested Musicians.
Thank you everyone!
Devil Stix Dave & Katalyst
Ambient Musician Council Members
Drummers@burningman.org
Header photo by Espresso Buzz, 2022 Opening Ceremony
