JOHN BUTCHER - Improvisation Workshop

The workshop is aimed at all musicians (instrumentalists and singers) interested in free improvisation, active in any musical field, of any technical, stylistic and idiomatic background, of any age and with any type of training, preferably with a good level of technical and instrumental skill. 

The course will focus on the practice of free improvisation, exploring new sound possibilities, mainly in small chamber ensembles; under John Butcher's guidance, participants will form small ensembles of varying sizes, whose improvisations will be the starting point for shared reflection. Among the various points of interest of the course will be finding and developing a personal language, discovering new ways of relating together as performers, instrumental techniques, understanding how improvisation creates its own forms and how relational dynamics used in improvisation reflect political and philosophical themes. Some time will be spent encouraging musicians interested in solo improvisation and, for mobile players, performing in unusual, non-concert acoustics.

The course is generally organised into study days of five/six hours of improvisation in small groups divided between morning and afternoon. In addition to the organised lessons, there will be convivial and informal moments in which to discuss the topics that emerge from the meetings in an atmosphere of sharing and mutual listening.

The course will take place in Montaldeo - Italy. For further information please check: 
https://cdmsanmichele.com/en/music-masterclasses/improvisation-workshop-2026/