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Workshop 1: «SpielBar»: Interpretation and performance of text compositions
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Marco Blaauw, instructor
In his workshop «SpielBar», the trumpet player Marco Blaauw introduces participants to the world of text composition as found in the music of influential musicians and artists of the 20th century such as George Maciunas, John Cage, Cornelius Cardew and Chrisian Wolff. In addition to playing on their own instruments, participants will use «found objects» from daily life such as newspapers, clothing, furniture, branches, paper, the voice as well as the body itself. In this way, a creative approach to music making is fostered, based more on inventive and conceptual input than on instrumental virtuosity.
Participants approach the concepts in an experimental fashion, working out the various possibilities of their chosen «instruments» in a unique ensemble constellation. Openness and curiosity are the only prerequisites!
Open for all instrumentalists, singers as well as composers
Course language: German andEnglish
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Workshop 2: Ensemble Playing New Music
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Garth Knox, instructor
In alternation with each other, lecturers of the academy deal with general topics of ensemble playing such as rhythm, microtonality, stage presence, and drawing/beating from the instrument. Rehearsal and learning strategies are also explored and put into practice.
Open to all instrumentalists and singers
Course language: German and English
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Workshop 3: Technology in New Music
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Emilio Guim, instructor
In this hands-on workshop we will learn about basic and advanced techniques for recording a solo or a small ensemble focusing on the sound world of contemporary music. We will review and apply fundamental theory for sound recording, microphones, cables, sound cards, mic placing and basic editing/mixing with the DAW Reaper. At the end we will produce a small recording in-class.
Open for all instrumentalists, singers and composers
Course language: English
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Workshop 4: INTERACTION – CREATION – NOTATION
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Charlotte Hug, instructor
The «Interactive Notation» IAN is the basis and common language for «comprovisation», a form of spontaneous composition based on common symbols and movements. It promotes interaction between the participants and allows for new forms of spontaneous creation and interpretation.
The basics of IAN can be learnt in a short time and can be developed to include a wide range of complexity. After an introduction and examples from artistic practice, this notation will be applied practically, ensemble pieces will be created, rehearsed, recorded, reflected and performed.
Open to composers, singers and instrumentalists of all instruments and electronics
Max. Number of participants: 12
Level: Beginners to advanced. Experience in improvisation an advantage
Course language: German and English
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Workshop 5: Fluxus: Exploration and Performance
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Heather Roche, instructor
How can dripping water, tossing a salad, or feeding hay to a piano become performance? Such curious acts belong to Fluxus, a radical art movement that began in 1961 at George Maciunas’ gallery in New York and has since inspired artists and musicians alike.
In this workshop we will look at key figures such as Yoko Ono, George Brecht, Nam June Paik, La Monte Young and Alison Knowles, exploring their works and the challenges of interpreting Fluxus’ often humorous and surreal text scores.
Participants will then create their own Fluxus-style scores and perform them at the end of the week. No prior knowledge is needed—only curiosity and a willingness to explore unexpected ways of performing.
Open for all instrumentalists, singers and interested composers
Course language: German and English
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Workshop 6: Jamming with 'In C': Music performance
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Gilles Grimaître, João Carlos Pacheco, instructors
«Jamming with 'In C'» offers a dynamic and enriching experience around Terry Riley's iconic minimal music composition «In C». Taking Riley's masterpiece as a starting point, participants will dive into playful rhythmic games and adventures to refine their groove, develop a deep understanding of interplay and expand their timing. Through improvisations, challenging rhythmic exercises and detailed analysis, this workshop empowers musicians to develop with creativity and precision in «In C».
The focus is on building a strong sense of belonging within the ensemble. A distinction is made between simultaneous playing and authentic interplay.
Open to all instrumentalists and singers
Course language: German and English
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Workshop 7: Performance: Less is more – with few means to the essence of expression
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Asia Ahmetjanova, instructor
In a time of permanent sensory overload, it can be instructive to move in the opposite direction in order to achieve a new quality of expression.
In this workshop we will develop small performative pieces together. The aim is to communicate a strong idea to the audience with as few means as possible, using only the most necessary objects, movements and sound bodies. We will have various materials on site that we can use to construct new sound bodies, but the focus will remain on reduction.
The workshop is structured as follows:
Collecting ideas – developing common concepts – determining instrumentation – trying out/experimenting – prioritising – reducing – practising – presenting.
Open to all instrumentalists, singers and interested composers
Course language: German and English
