Electronics Project 2012

In May 2011, we ran a very successful project for five composers interested in working with instruments and electronics, led by Martin Parker and Alex Fiennes. It was a creatively fertile and productive few days, and you can read about what took place here.

We are now looking for three more composers to take part in further workshops during 15th-17th February 2012. We are very pleased to be welcoming composer Pippa Murphy and sound engineer / producer Ben Seal. The workshops will take place in Edinburgh. If you are a composer who is keen to find out what's possible with live electronics or if you're a producer who rarely gets close to highly trained instrumental musicians, this could be an opportunity for you.

This is a workshop situation, in which we aim to take documentary recordings and to blog the progress of the works as they develop. Participants will be expected to share in the documentation process and contribute to the blog as their piece evolves. Participants should also be prepared to have their work recorded as part of this processed and made available online for free at the end of the week.

We are looking for a maximum of three participants for the project. Each participant will work on their piece for one morning and one afternoon session during the week. However, participants will encouraged to stay for the whole 3-day period, to observe the process with the other pieces and make comments and contributions.

The aim of the workshop is to develop and refine approaches to working with electronics and instruments. We'll explore some of the following questions:

  • How can instrumental sounds be augmented and elaborated with electronics?
  • What electronic sounds might work well with instrumental timbre?
  • How can an ensemble perform live with electronic sounds or computers and how can composers score their intentions effectively?

Guidelines:

Prospective participants should submit a score of their intended piece – though this need not be in its finished form at this stage. Scores can be graphic and conceptual but full technical requirements should also be included and take into account the equipment / software listed below. Please be prepared to bring your own equipment if is not listed. Scores should be no longer than 10 minutes. If you are invited to take part, you will be required to provide your own parts for the musicians, as well as patches and plugins in advance.
Instrumentation:

  • Electric or acoustic violin
  • Electric or acoustic viola
  • Electric or acoustic cello
  • Bass guitar or double bass

Live electronics equipment:

  • Stereo PA system (given the small size of the studio we'll be working in, there is no need for multichannel sound reproduction so we will be realizing the electronics in stereo)
  • Individual microphones on each instrument
  • RME Hammerfall FireFace 800 (up to 8 inputs)
  • Fast Apple Laptop with Logic Pro 9, Mainstage, MaxMSP, Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Cubase

Live electronics parts can be devised for the tools available above or you can bring your own equipment. This must be agreed upon in advance of the workshop.

Eligibility:

  • There is no age limit, however applicants must be resident in the UK at the time of applying.
  • The submitted work should be no longer than 10 minutes duration.
  • Applications from both composers and producers are welcomed.
  • Applicants must be prepared to get themselves to and from Edinburgh for the workshops, and to arrange their own accommodation where necessary.

How to Apply:

We welcome applications by email, however a postal address is provided below for applicants unable to submit their application electronically. To apply, please send:

  • A recording of an existing example of your work. Where a recording is not possible, please send a score.
  • A detailed explanation of the ideas that you would like to explore, if accepted for the project, including a score, any sketches, and software intended to be used.
  • A biography
  • Details of your name, postal address, email address and contact telephone number
  • Optional: Self-addressed/stamped envelope for return of materials.

Postal applications may be sent to: Jo Buckley, General Manager, Mr McFall’s Chamber, Riverside Cottage, 7 Beech Place, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 8LS

Application Deadline:

All email applications and postal packages must be received by 5pm on Monday 23rd January 2012 to be considered. No late submissions will be accepted. All applications will be acknowledged on receipt. All applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision by Monday 30th January 2012.

Enquiries: Please direct any queries to Jo Buckley via the Contact page.

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