22nd March to 24th March 2019
Making music in response to place
How might we sing a sunset? How might we find the lost chord of the mountains? Might the night sky be a musical score?!
In this course we will explore musical responses to landscape and ‘sense of place’. Calling on all participants to engage creatively and collaboratively we shall, over the course of the week, work together to create a piece of music that reflects our collective responses to the incredible environment and surroundings of Snowdonia.
The course is open to musicians and singers with some experience, who are interested in developing their skill, working collaboratively and engaging creatively with place and environment, as well as writers who are interested in working with music. Together, we will explore different styles, with an emphasis on creating something new, as a group, using improvisation and simple compositional techniques.
*Please Note, The cost of each weekend course is £250, this includes, the course fees, food, accomodation and light refreshments. The workshops will only take place if a minimum of 10 people register per course.
MATERIALS NEEDED
Please bring your own instrument (acoustic if possible).
THE COURSE
Please note this course is for musicians only
*Although each of the courses has their own itineray and dates, we have created a general itinerary common to all this includes 3pm to 5pm on day of arrival, warm welcome, by course co-ordiantor and hosts, and intro and Q & A with course tutor. Please do not hesitate in contacting us for more details.
| DAY |
CONTENT FOR MORNING SESSION AND AFTERNOON SESSIONS |
| FRIDAY | Introductions & getting to know each other, talk though the aims of the week, the process, musical warm-ups and simple improvisation
Improvisation- exploring free playing and simple structures, working with modes, ensemble skills. |
| SATURDAY
am |
Ideas, words, music- practical ways of translating our responses to surroundings into musical ideas Looking and listening – a morning exploring the local environment, field-recording, looking and listening to landscape and surroundings and devising ways to respond. |
| pm | Ideas into practice. Planning the piece.
Approaches to composing. – simple exercises to move us from the first notes to a miniature symphony! Collaboration – working in smaller groups to devise music. Creative devising with the full group. Working as an ensemble and ‘composing’ the piece. Space to explore further … to compose, to practice, to talk… |
| SUNDAY
am |
Finishing touches. Putting it all together. Structure and form. Rehearsal. lunch time Performance- making it all come together as a ‘band’ and playing for an audience Throughout the course, we will be able to work one-to-one, helping with individual instrumental technique, we hope to have time for informal playing together, and there will be plenty of time for discussion and informal sharing. |
THE TUTORS
Jonathan Raisin & Karen Wynne
Jonathan & Karen have worked individually and together for many years as musicians, composers, musical directors, artists, educators and organisers of creative projects. Karen has performed as a singer-songwriter, with bands and in choirs as well as teaching in community arts and formal education settings. Jonathan has written music for theatre projects as well as creating sound installations and work for radio. Together they have played in festival bands, run community music projects and curated the long running experimental music event, Lost Voices. 
Their influences range across styles and traditions- folk, jazz, african and indian musical traditions and classical and contemporary musics.
Projects often respond to place and have taken place in abandoned theatres, gardens and major concert halls.
www.jonathanraisin.wordpress.com