Unlocking the Sonic Secrets of the Mineral Gallery: A Composer's Journey

Don MacBain, a seasoned media producer with a passion for music, embarked on a unique mission to transform the Petroleum Museum's Mineral Gallery in Midland, Texas. Inspired by the captivating displays of geodes and other natural wonders, MacBain set out to create an original musical score that would immerse visitors in a sensory experience like no other.

Composing a Captivating Soundtrack for the Mineral Marvels

Capturing the Essence of Geodes in Sound

As MacBain sat quietly in the Mineral Gallery, he was struck by the mesmerizing beauty of the geodes and the meditative atmosphere of the space. He began to ponder how he could craft a musical score that would truly complement the visual splendor and the hushed presence of Mother Nature. Inspired by the formation of the geodes, MacBain set out to capture the pulsing, crystalline textures in his composition.Immersing himself in the creative process, MacBain spent hours at his electronic keyboard, experimenting with different sounds and textures. He wanted the music to evoke a sense of being in a cavernous, otherworldly space, with a "metallic spaceship hum" that would mirror the dynamic nature of the geodes. By studying the geological process of geode formation, he found inspiration in the idea of the crystals forming and folding in on themselves, like a heartbeat.

Bringing the Mineral Gallery to Life with Custom Music

MacBain's vision for the Mineral Gallery was to create a custom musical score that would enhance the meditative atmosphere and transport visitors to a different realm. Unlike museums that simply license existing music, the Petroleum Museum opted to commission an original composition from MacBain, a decision that would prove to be a game-changer."We have a pretty unique claim: What you're hearing was custom scored for us, and you're not going to hear it anywhere else," said Bryan Grant, the museum's executive director. The result was "Meditation on a Geode," a 30-minute loop of music that began playing in the gallery this year, seamlessly blending with the space and elevating the overall experience.Grant admitted that he had never considered using a custom soundtrack in a museum before, but MacBain's pitch and previous work with the museum convinced him that it was the perfect solution. "Now that the soundtrack is there, I don't know how we managed without it," Grant said. "Don's music feels like you're in this underground cave with all these amazing crystals. You feel it as soon as you walk into the room, transporting you to a different spot even though you're standing in the middle of the Petroleum Museum."

Enhancing the Experience with Interactive Elements

To further immerse visitors in the Mineral Gallery's sonic landscape, MacBain incorporated several interactive elements. He installed three specially tuned windchimes, concealed in different areas of the gallery, that were activated by oscillating fans, adding to the constantly-changing soundscape.Additionally, MacBain placed an Acolyte Instruments handpan drum in the gallery, allowing visitors to softly play along with the music. The drum was tuned to the D-minor Celtic scale, matching an audio patch that MacBain had integrated into his score. This interactive feature gave guests the opportunity to become active participants in the musical experience, creating a unique and personalized encounter with each visit."It provided a very hands-on analog interactive way for people that come through the museum to be able to have a little bit of fun and interact within that gallery," MacBain said. "Each time somebody walks through this gallery, they're going to get a completely different experience sonically. Maybe nobody's playing the drums, or maybe a couple kids are having a jam session."

Bridging the Gap Between Art and Industry

The Petroleum Museum's focus on the local oil industry presented a unique challenge when it came to incorporating art and music. However, MacBain's custom score and the addition of the handpan drum proved to be a successful bridge between the museum's industrial roots and the artistic realm."The Petroleum Museum tells the local community's deep-rooted oil history. Even though museum staff want to bring in art (as part of STEAM, which also includes science, technology, engineering and math) that can be difficult considering the museum's industry-focused theme. Then along came the drum and MacBain's musical score," the article states.By seamlessly integrating the musical elements into the Mineral Gallery, MacBain demonstrated the power of music to connect with visitors on an emotional level and enhance the overall museum experience. This approach not only enriched the existing exhibit but also opened up new possibilities for the museum to explore the intersection of art, science, and industry.

A Lifelong Passion for Music

For Don MacBain, the Mineral Gallery project was a culmination of his lifelong passion for music. Although he had spent nearly 40 years working as a producer in movies, commercials, and theme parks, his love for music had always been a driving force.As a child prodigy, MacBain began playing the piano at the age of five, quickly demonstrating a natural talent and a level of sophistication that set him apart from his peers. He went on to study music and film production at Loyola Marymount University, where he honed his skills and developed a reputation as an "extraordinary pianist."Throughout his professional career, MacBain continued to showcase his musical talents, composing scores for public service announcements, corporate themes, and even a feature film. His collaborator, Cecilia González-Andrieu, praised his ability to create music that "excels at getting your heart involved and pulling you into a place where you were emotionally invested in what you were watching."With the Mineral Gallery project, MacBain has found a way to merge his diverse experiences and passions, creating a unique and captivating musical experience that enhances the museum's offerings. As he looks to the future, he is eager to explore more opportunities to reinvent the way museums engage with their visitors through the power of music.