3–4 September – Instant improvization: An adventure of vocal creativity – Thomas JOHANNSEN (Neetherlands)

Instant improvization - an adventure of vocal creativity

with Thomas JOHANNSEN (NL)

Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September


The Genetic Choir is the idea of a singing utopia - creating instant vocal compositions in front of an audience with anynumber of singers, without any score or musical agreements beforehand.

In this workshop you will be introduced to the skills for Instant Vocal Composition as developed by Thomas Johannsen and the Genetic Choir.

Any degree of experience is welcome, as are all musical styles and cultural backgrounds. The concept we are workingfrom is that the quality of the music will not depend on the virtuoso abilities of the individual - though those are verymuch welcomed - but on your ability to listen and give yourself over to the process of copying and mutation of thepresent sound material (which is not entirely in your hands, but needs your constant engagement!). All patterns andcolours of music can arise from this, there are no boundaries in musical style, amount of solo vs. group singing ornature of the compositions - from contemplative and subtle to wild, melodic, poly-rhythmical, cacophonic or lyrical -everything is possible. The Genetic Choir is an eco-system in which many creatures can live. It needs singers who cangive up on their ego and still make bold decisions. By opening both your ability to set your own boundaries and surf thecrest of the moment, we create vocal compositions that are surprisingly vital, focussed and yet unpredictable.

We will train the basic skills that make all this possible:

  • Surrender (don€™ t let your will rule your decisions)
  • One thing (deepen your material - 'work it')
  • Layers of music / Jungle of sound (find your place)
  • Quality of Listening (open awareness)
  • Quality of Engagement (ride that horse!)
  • Stillness and Timing (understand silence)

The workshop contains both exploratory individual work and small group/big group ensemble singing. We areworking from a vision on improvisation that believes in constantly finding the right balance in listening (being),acting consciously (compositional mind) and surrendering to 'what is' (immediate abandon). Beautiful singing is neversomething you create on your own. It arises from the amount to which an audience dares to give itself fully in thelistening and the amount to which the singers dare to allow the moment and lead the way.

Note that 'singing', for me includes all conceivable sounds made by the human voice. Making contact with yourauthentic voice and inert musicality is key and will be facilitated. You can't go wrong, except when taking yourself tooseriously. Having said that, we expect from any participant a professional attitude towards the work: be ready to workhighly concentrated while singing, stumbling, diving deep down into the jungle of sound and having fun!

For further information about the lecturer click HERE

The workshop will take place on 3rd and 4th September from 10 pm to 5.30 am in the DDM Spektrum, Karlínské náměstí 7, Prague 8 - Karlín, see www.ddmpraha.cz

The price is CZK 1750,- / 1690,- for students, senior citizens and parents on maternity leave.

You can download the application form HERE

CZ / EN