CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION GATHERING - Composition and Percussion Course

THE COURSE
Contemporary Percussion Gathering is an international event dedicated to the many forms of contemporary percussion: a place and moment for meeting and experimentation where performers, composers and artists from different fields come together to discuss new forms of sound and gesture, an intensive experience that unites training, research and artistic creation. 

Over the course of eight days, participants take part in workshops, group sessions, lectures, discussions, personal projects and concerts open to the public, in a context that encourages the exploration of the most current and interdisciplinary practices in percussion and composition.

Under the guidance of tutors, the course explores extended performance techniques, new instrumental writing, interactions with electronic devices and sound objects, and new instrument making, investigating the boundaries between musical theatre, installation and improvisation.

Contemporary Percussion Gathering promotes a dimension of shared research: each participant is invited to present, develop or collaborate on a personal project involving installation or performance, which will be implemented during the course, culminating in a collective public performance.

Aimed at percussionists, composers, students, multimedia artists, improvisers, ensembles and instrumentalists of all kinds, Contemporary Percussion Gathering is a constantly evolving laboratory of ideas and practices - a temporary artistic community experience in which percussion becomes a terrain for dialogue, invention and freedom of expression.

WHAT THE COURSE OFFER
-the opportunity to implement personal projects based on performance and/or installation, to be created during the course
-the opportunity to collaborate on other participants' projects
-participation in workshops on pressing issues in the field of percussion and contemporary composition (percussion ensemble, new Lutherie workshop, Arduino workshop, site-specific installation workshop)
-open individual lessons/individual meetings (percussion and/or composition)
-lectures by tutors
-rehearsals conducted in collaboration with teachers
-ensemble and solo performances
-concerts presenting relevant and current aesthetics of contemporary percussion 
-documentation of performances
-percussion instruments (will be provided for solo work, subject to agreement)
-depending on the projects and participants selected, a tech rider of materials (percussion, speakers, electronic equipment) will be made available, taking into account the needs of the participants

TIMELINE
The course will be developed during spring 2026, with the definition of the programme, collaborative performances and workshops with potential course participants. The course will be adapted to the number of candidates, their skill level and their choices/desires in terms of repertoire and topics to be covered.  

The course dates are:
July 4th arrival in Montaldeo
July 5th - 12th Course (8 days) 
”Marathon” performances and presentations scheduled for the final days course with tutor performances/concerts during the week
July 13th return travels

OBJECTIVES
-broaden one's perspective on the current aesthetics of contemporary music
-discuss and define the historical context of percussion
-develop strategies for musical interpretation and collaboration, particularly with regard to “object music” or “post-instrumental practice”.
-expand one's musical network

PERFORMANCES AND CREATIONS
For percussionists, there will be the opportunity to create one (or more) solo pieces, which will be worked on with the tutors and performed in a concert, and/or to work with composers on a new collaborative creation. 
For composers, there will be the opportunity to discuss their work with the tutors and to work on electronics. For other participants, the course programme will be discussed according to their needs. 

All participants will be able to present personal installation and/or performance projects, which will be implemented during the course and presented in a public concert. 
All participants will also be able to collaborate on the personal projects of other participants.

WORKSHOPS
Various workshops will be implemented, depending on participants' preferences, on topics such as:

-percussion ensemble workshop: study and performance of repertoire pieces for percussion and/or performers
-Arduino workshop: study and practical/theoretical application of Arduino in the field of performance
-New lutherie workshop: study and practical/theoretical application of new Lutherie and instrument construction
-Site-specific installations workshop: study and practical/theoretical application of site-specific sound and multimedia installations.

PARTICIPANTS PROPOSAL
For those who wish to present a personal project - or for those who need it - one or more online meetings are planned during the spring in order to discuss the realisation of the project (required materials, site-specific locations where the project can be implemented, collaborations with other participants and/or tutors, etc.).

It is also possible to submit proposals for collective pieces to be worked on during the course (for percussionists and/or performers).

LINK to the final event of Contemporary Percussion Gathering 2024:
-short: https://youtu.be/UL3tPVwT8F4
-full: https://youtu.be/7YUqeUE_cBA
-Google Earth: https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1BzBOQPfqdMEXqUDGr5-7vUABYHgoEnAg?usp=sharing

The course will take place in Montaldeo - Italy. For further information please check: 
https://cdmsanmichele.com/en/music-masterclasses/contemporary-percussion-gathering-3/