Sound Symposium

In May of 2010 Wallace Hammond, Sound Symposium's Technical Director, musician, composer, and sound man extraordinare was been named the recipient of the 2009 Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council's Patron of
the Arts Award.

When people in the arts community heard that Sound Symposium had nominated Wallace for the award, there was an unprecedented outpouring of letters of support for him to receive that honour.

No other person has done more for arts and artists of this province than has Wallace Hammond.
Both as a musician and as a technical wizard, Wallace has given generously of his time and expertise to the arts community. For well over 30 years he has been lending -- or renting at levels artists can afford - his massive store of sound and lighting equipment to bands, festivals, and performers.
Always tuned in to the needs of the artists, Wallace meets the most difficult technical demands with humour and good will. He seems almost to crawl through the wires as he sorts out problems and rescues the technically challenged. He is the first person artists call for technical advice, for an urgently needed amp, or lights, speakers, mics, sound boards, and gear of all kinds.

Here are a few samples from the letters of support:

"Wallace's band, Da Slyme, headed up the first punk show in the province.
Over thirty years and almost as many bands later, Wallace is still a staple in the St. John's music scene - he's the first sound guy everyone calls.
Indeed, he's done sound for everyone from Pat Metheny and Muddy Waters to the Idlers and the Pathological Lovers. His legendary genius behind the soundboard comes from an honest place; in his spare time, he builds his own switching boards." (The Scope)

"I have known Wallace Hammond since I was a teenager, when I met this the burly man who looked intimidating but was really a teddy-bear. I came to know him as a man who owned an incredible assortment of live gear, (and would rent it for whatever you could afford), a man who could set up a PA on the Battery in a hurricane, the man who was canny enough to build his own guitars, (and brave enough to play them), a man who inspired some of the first punk bands in the city, and who never lost his belief in the benefits of a misplaced youth. Without him countless shows would never have happened, and to this day he is a one-man provider of good will and tireless effort, the man who has loaned a fortune in gear, assisted hundreds of bands, and made more bands sound good than should be humanly possible. From Great Big Sea to the symphony to dozens of festivals to the hip-hop band that formed last Wednesday afternoon, he has helped us all. As a pioneer of punk rock in this province, he is the last musician of his generation to still carry that flame. For never losing faith in his own vision of rock and roll, and for providing the means for others to get there, I nominate Wallace Hammond for the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council's Patron of the Arts Award."
(Bob Hallett, Great Big Sea)

" The music industry is very demanding upon everyone involved, and although the behind-the-scenes work is not very glamorous and seldom noticed, it can make or break a show. The most fortunate of us have someone upon whom we can rely to know our sound, to battle traffic and cranky bar owners, to lug heavy speakers up and down stairs, to trouble shoot if something isn't working, and to tear down and pack up long after the crowds are gone and the musicians are off to some party with the fans. For most of my career, both with Figgy Duff and as a solo artist, that person has been Wallace Hammond.
He always gets my first call, no matter what. Not only is he an electronics expert, who can keep even the most antiquated and rickety gear running and sounding better than its modern counterparts, but he is also reliable, kind, fair, loyal, gentle, consistent, punctual, has a great sense of humour, and is a great driver. He is an exceptional human being, whom I am honoured to count among my friends, and without whom I cannot imagine my 35 years in the music industry. I cannot think of a single soul more deserving of this honour and recognition. He gets my vote, hands down, with or without a nomination." (Pamela Morgan, Figgy Duff)

"Wallace Hammond has dedicated his entire life to one thing -- supporting the local art and music scene. He has not gotten rich in doing so, he has not ever looked for any recognition or fame, but he has also never switched gears and gone back to school or moved out to Fort 'Mac looking for a means to make more money. His focus and heart has always been in one place -- behind the equipment that makes your show or event a success. He has heard almost every Newfoundland artist debut their newest potential hit song. He has watched us all grow from rebellious teen punks to seasoned music veterans. We owe him a lot. I personally love Wallace Hammond and thank him for being who he is almost every time I see him." (Jud Haynes, MIGHTXPOP promoter, graphic artist and former professional musician) "Wallace has always been flexible in his pricing and his fee is generally tailored to the size and budget of the event. He never gouges, and he always makes himself available to drop off the gear and assist with set up and tear down when required. He is also one of the few sound men I've known that will donate his services and sound gear for use at benefits. I've played many benefit concerts where all the musicians played for free, but the sound man got paid. I've also approached other sound companies over the years to sponsor various events, or to donate services to a good cause. Wallace was the only one who came through consistently. Wallace is also an excellent sound man.
When he is at the board the sound is usually very clear and the people on stage are happy.
Musicians can occasionally be temperamental, but Wallace can easily diffuse a tense situation with his quick wit or a humorous story (of which he has hundreds; he deserves an award for that alone!) Wallace really is a gem. He is not the guy on stage playing the guitar and getting the glory. He is not the massive, corporate, sound company getting the big gigs and the big bucks. He is the guy who has been there for the musicians and events of this town for over 30 years. He never lets us down. He is never resentful or negative in public if he doesn't get the gig. He is as solid as a rock, and I can't imagine our music scene without him. I am thrilled that the Sound Symposium is nominating Wallace for this award. I support this nomination with all my heart."
(Jean Hewson)

Again in 2010, Wallace Hammond pulled off the almost technically impossible Cape Spear Project as conceived and conducted by German composer, Moritz Eggert ...with a laugh, while others panicked.