Music as Life Practice: Methods and Modalities for Experimental Music

Jennie Gottschalk writes: ‘experimental music is […] not a school or a trend or even an aesthetic. It is, instead, a position—of openness, of inquiry, of uncertainty, of discovery’ (2016). Following this positioning, this RMA Study Day hosted by, and in collaboration with, City St George’s, University of London, invites practitioners and researchers across different music communities and genres to explore the contours of a widening understanding of experimental practices within lived experiences.

Considering music as life practice acts as the main provocation for this Study Day and frames music as a taking place, as a ‘gathering together of the threads of life’ (Ingold, 2010). What is gathered, what threads do we weave, and what ‘fields of practices’ (Spatz, 2020) do we return to again and again? The everyday poses a significant site of experimental practice and as such this Study Day poses an invitation to explore ‘the every day’s transformative potential,’ (Johnstone, 2008) and the ‘methodological pluralism’ (Borgdorff, 2012) of practice research.

Areas of exploration include but are not limited to:

• Transmodalities
• Improvisation
• Performance Practice
• Repetition
• Experimental Systems and Methods
• Embodiment
• Creative Processes

This is primarily a participatory event to spotlight experimental practice.

Keynote speaker and key workshop facilitator: Emma Bonnici

Emma Bonnici is a dynamic performer, teacher and speaker. Her 8 years working in Poland with two multi award winning physical theatre companies have influenced her views and approach to training and performance greatly. Her work on the body as an expression of biography is particularly resonant for this Study Day, as well as her exploration of vocal and physical ensembles. This all colours her methods of working with groups to explore subjects of leadership and followership, and the promotion of fluid communication and creativity through physical tuning, embodiment, seeing and being seen, and poly-directional listening.

Additional workshops and activities will be led by:

• Niamh Gallagher
• Henry McPherson
• Bea Hebron
• Ao Shen

Bringing instruments is encouraged. Any questions, please contact bea.hebron@city.ac.uk.

SCHEDULE

• 09:30-10:00                   Registration & Casual Welcome (coffee & teas provided)
• 10:00-10:15                   Opening Remarks
• 10:15-11:15                   Emma’s Presentation
• 11:15-11:45                   Questions & Open Discussion
• 11:45-12:30                   Henry’s Workshop
• 12:30-12:45                   Reflections & Questions
• 12:45-13:45                   Lunch (not provided)
• 13:45-14:30                   Niamh’s & Bea’s Workshop
• 14:30-14:45                   Reflections & Questions
• 14:45-15:30                   Emma’s Workshop
• 15:30-15:45                   Reflections & Questions
• 15:45-16:30                   Ao’s Workshop
• 16:30-17:30                   Reflections & Closing Remarks