new live composing lab

Together with saxophonist François Lourtie, I'm setting up a new laboratory of skilled musicians, with a purpose of research, performance and pedagogy. I'm looking to dig deep into the process of dealing with hazardous, non predictable events, with a large orchestra, under the guidance of a conductor using a dedicated sign language. The essence is the PROCESS OF PLAY, in its most intimate definition : action, social interactions, risk and the JOY of a not projected outcome and an unveiled creative process.

call for musicians

The collective with be trained to two languages :

Soundpainting : created by New York composer Walter Thompson in 1984. A vocabulary of hundreds of signs that will be used to generate creative propositions, explore textures, sound transitions, rates of development, etc. Check the web.

Rhythm with Signs : created by Argentinian composer Santiago Vazquez in 2006. Around 100 signs to work in depth with rhythm and groove. Check the web.

We've been using both languages in very specific projects. My aim now is to assemble them into a hybrid language and explore how their creative universe blend. Repetitive music with evolving textures and free improv ? Maybe.

Skilled musicians with a very good to professional instrument technique are called to join the collective. They will do so with a personal objective of discovering a powerful approach to group improvisation, ambition to use it as teachers or performers, or improve their skill and learn a new thing ! Any of these.

All instruments are welcome and must be set up in less than 15 minutes. They must be acoustic or independently amplified, there will be no PA available.

phase 1 : introduction workshops in may 2025

Objective : meet and play, discover the project, check if it's good for you, and if we find that your level is appropriate for the project. Come both days if you can. When registering below, you will be asked to send us a video link of you playing. don't hesitate to call or write to talk about it : 0497 57 11 07.

26th of may 2025, 10:00 to 12:30 — rue du Viaduc 133, 1050 Ixelles
27th of may 2025, 9:30 to 12:00 — rue du Viaduc 133, 1050 Ixelles

phase 2 : weekly training 2025-2026

Objective : deep training and a few public performances in 2026. During that phase, no remuneration can be expected for artists, but only covering of costs, catering, etc. I remind that musicians will participate with a desire for learning and taking part in an experiment in the first place. They will be freely attending at least 50% of the trainings.

ONE of every THREE weeks, the training will be dedicated to musicians wanting to experiment conducting/live-composing the ensemble with their own vision and skills, and get feedback. For all other training sessions, I'll be the only live-composer until further notice, aiming for my own artistic vision.

We'll be looking into a cultural partner to host these 3 hours weekly trainings.