MUSICNOW

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

MusicNow aims to provide a dynamic focal point in the city of Johannesburg for music, regardless of style, that is challenging and pushes creative boundaries. To do this we need to achieve momentum through regular performances that build audiences with increasing critical engagement. MusicNow will begin with a series of eight events at the Arts on Main venue in downtown Johannesburg in 2011, followed by a fuller schedule in 2012 including an event during most weeks of the year. This will set up an expectation in the wider community of regular music making of a high conceptual and practical standard. Discussion and debate surrounding progressive music can therefore flourish and nourish ever more daring South African musical creativity.

Clockwise, from top left: Jill Richards rehearsing Stockhausen’s Mantra Lisa Joubert rehearsing Stockhausen’s Mantra Jill Richards rehearsing Stockhausen’s Mantra Lisa Joubert rehearsing Stockhausen’s Mantra

The choice of venue reflects our view that experimental music must not be confined to traditional performance situations, which often suffer from small and exclusive audiences. This vibrant, creative central location can reach the broadest and most demographically diverse audience possible. The events presented will in many ways resemble a club experience where people come to participate and explore rather than passively absorb music, as is often the case with regular ‘classical’ music concerts. There will be a mixture of performances, experimental/improvisatory sessions and workshops focusing on music new to the Johannesburg scene.

The workshops will be aimed at emerging and student composers and performers. Many perceived barriers to participation will not be relevant and the workshops will be open to all who are interested. The compositional, aesthetic and conceptual framework will also benefit those who are already musically experienced. It will raise questions of interest and explore attitudes to musical ‘material’ and the concept of the music concert/’performance’, and so reflect today’s South African society.

MusicNow is a project of NewMusicSA. The organising committee of MusicNow includes internationally renowned contemporary music pianist Jill Richards, composer and choral director Mokale Koapeng and Johannesburg-based composers Angie Mullins and Cameron Harris. MusicNow is passionate about creating, presenting and performing new music, given the wealth of local talent. We believe that the growth of composers, performers and engaged audiences happens in a variety of situations and should not be limited to the formal sector only. We aim to create such situations in the coming months and years, which will enhance the experience of a wide range of new music for many people.

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