Workshops with Distractfold
Distractfold Ensemble places great importance on working with the emerging composers of today, encouraging and exploring new musical ideas. The group has a large amount of experience in delivering workshops, having led sessions both nationally and internationally; they are Ensemble in Association at Brunel University and Ensemble in Residence for the Architectural Association Interprofessional Studio in London. The group can offer flexible instrumentation according to what each workshop requires. Alongside instrumental extended techniques, the group also has a great deal of experience of working with object percussion, electronics and theatrical elements in their performances.
Over the last nine years, Distractfold has established itself as a contemporary music ensemble of international standing, specialising in instrumental, acousmatic, and mixed music from composers of this new generation. The first UK ensemble to be awarded with the Kranichsteiner Musikpreis at the 47th International Summer Course for New Music in Darmstadt, the group has a busy concert schedule with performances across Europe and America; this is experience that they bring with them into every workshop they participate in.
COLUMBIA COMPOSERS DIGITAL PREMIERE FT DISTRACTFOLD
In July 2021, Distractfold held a virtual residency with Columbia Composers live from the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester. Postponed due to COVID from their 2019-2020 concert season, this adapted online residency saw the rehearsal and audio/video recording of 5 new works composed by Bill Dougherty, Sam Yulsman, Bethany Younge, Nina Fukuoka, and Uri Kochavi. Special thanks to Diana Marcela Rodriguez and Jessie Cox for all their tireless work and willingness to see this project realised!
Reviews
““Working with the musicians from Distractfold was absolutely wonderful. Their passion and dedication for sharing new music with new audiences shone through everything they performed. Having the opportunity to participate in a reading session of my work with the members of Distractfold was an amazing experience, and I feel privileged to have worked with them. They created an open, helpful atmosphere, and their enthusiasm and positive energy made their entire visit a learning experience, and a learning experience that I won’t soon forget.” ”
““Distractfold Ensemble’s first visit to Brunel University London was such a success that we invited them to be an ensemble-in-association. Our composition students really appreciated the sensitivity and commitment with which the ensemble workshopped their pieces, as well as their enormously helpful comments and suggestions. Distractfold is one of the most exciting new ensembles in Europe, and I look forward to a continuing relationship between Brunel and these fine musicians.””
Distractfold @ Brunel University
Distractfold @ Flow Fields at the Lisbon Architecture Triennale along with the New Movement Collective and Allard Van Hoorn.
HACK - performed by Daniel Brew as part of the Distractfold HGNM ensemble in residence 2016
2024
Ensemble in Residence @ Stanford University
Ensemble in Residence @ Novars, University of Manchester
2023
Ensemble in Residence @ Stanford University
Ensemble in Residence @ Novars, University of Manchester
2022
Ensemble in Residence @ Novars, University of Manchester
Ensemble in Residence @ Durham University
2021
Ensemble in Residence @ RNCM (PRiSM)
Ensemble in Residence @ Novars, Manchester University
2020 (Virtual ensemble residencies)
Columbia Composers, Columbia University
Novars, University of Manchester
2019
Ensemble in Residence @ Novars, University of Manchester
2018
Wells Cathedral School, November - solo and chamber music coaching
Ensemble in Residence @ Harvard University - HGNM residence
Ensemble in Residence @ Novars, University of Manchester
CIRMMT, Montréal - Hanna Hartman and Distractfold: Creating Dust Devil
2017
Ensemble in Residence @ Stanford University - ensemble in residence
Workshop @ Brunel University
2016
Ensemble in Residence @ Harvard University - HGNM residence
coaching of Ensemble 20+ @ DePaul University
Workshop @ Brunel University
2015
Workshop @ Brunel University
2014
Architectural Association Interprofessional School - Workshop and recording session in conjunction with Apes Grapes
Workshop @ Brunel University
Workshop led jointly with Martin Iddon @ Darmstadt International Summer Course for New Music
Workshop for piano, percussion and string trio @ Huddersfield University
Workshop @ Ithaca College (NY)
2013
Workshop @ Architectural Association Interprofessional School
Workshop @ Royal Northern College of Music
2012
Architectural Association Interprofessional School - Workshop series in composition, culminating in performances at Matadero Contemporary Arts Centre, Madrid, and the Lisbon Architecture Triennale
Composition workshop @ Cavendish Primary School - ‘Music of the Seasons’