Composer and Warp artist Mira Calix hosts an introduction to composing for electronics and classical instrumentation in this pair of online workshops, hosted via Zoom.

Aimed at those interested in exploring means of creating new music incorporating electronics into the classical world, these workshops include some critical thinking and a supported practical task.

In the first session, Mira will lead the group in considering a variety of approaches and methodologies that combine classical music with electronics through the lens of musical examples. Mira will give insight into her own practice and discuss pieces and remixes by Kaija Saariaho, Jonathan Harvey, Max Richter and others, alongside her own work. Participants will be set a task in the first session to recontextualise sounds from Dominic Murcott’s Harmonic Canon into a short new work. This will serve as a framework to probe the possibilities and challenges of working with mixed instrumentation.

Participants will reconvene to share and review these together in a supportive second session, using observations about the task as a springboard for analysis and further group discussion. This is a space to learn and share with others, exploring the opportunities and challenges of cross-pollinating the worlds of classical music and electronics as well as its context. 

Access to, and some basic experience and technical knowledge of working with sequencing software (for example, one or more of the following: Abelton, Logic, Garageband Cubase, Audacity Max etc) is helpful, however enthusiasm and interest in this area of cross-pollination count for more than technical prowess. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about suitability.

Please note: this workshop will focus primarily on compositional approaches, considering how different software platforms can influence and assist your artistic ambitions as opposed to a technical tutorial. Calix will provide a short audio/visual ‘reading list’ to all participants prior to the first session, so that all can familiarise themselves wtih examples to be discussed during the sessions at their own pace. 

We want to make our events as accessible as possible. If the ticket price is a barrier to your ability to attend, please get in touch with sophie@nonclassical.co.uk

See the full Nonclassical Academy programme >>>

About the Artist

Mira Calix is an award-winning artist and composer based in the United Kingdom signed with Warp records. Music and sound, which she considers a sculptural material, are at the centre of her practice. Her work explores the manipulation of the material into visible, physical forms through multi-disciplinary installations, sculpture, video and performance works. Calix’s practice is deliberately disjunctive, allowing research, site, and subject to influence a fluid choice of materials and mediums. Calix has been commissioned by and exhibited and performed works in many leading cultural institutions, festivals and ensembles internationally, most recently the Hayward Gallery, Serpentine Galleries, the 1stCoventry Biennial, The Royal Shakespeare Company, UK in China 2015 cultural exchange program, Carriageworks, MONA, Performa, the Barbican, Art Basel, Lincoln Center, Manchester International festival and the London Olympics among others.

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Nonclassical is generously supported by Arts Council England and City Bridge Trust.