Published 1973-01-01
Abstract
I wish to prepare a thematic index, or catalog, of the bird songs of the Rocky Mountain area. This catalog would be based upon a musical premise, the contents of which would list and identify those bird songs which could be notated with the musical symbols of staff notation. The catalog could serve, among others, two chief purposes: one would be as an identification aid to the naturalist who is interested in ornithology; the other would be a source of subject matter for musical composition. The latter consideration has been pursued by the "dean" of French contemporary composers, Olivier Messiaen, who researched bird life throughout his own country, and incorporated bird songs in sophisticated manner in his compositions. Project Number 192.