Westben: Bringing people together through music
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Westben: Bringing people together through music
Support Grow Campaign More Ways To Give Become a Member Members Schoolhouse Donors Become a Sponsor 2025 Sponsors Community Volunteer With Us Sing With Us Performer-Composer Residency PCR Info & Applications PCR Bios (2018-2024) Past PCR Public Events Online Digital Concerts Finding Your Inner Mozart Digital Venue The Podcast Dare to Share Westben Kids
Metaphors and Creation
Metaphors and Creation

Metaphors and Creation

An exploration into finding connections between non-musical subjects and music to deepen our sense of interpretation.

nahresol.com

The Hidden Performer:  Algorithmic Indeterminacy  in Electroacoustic Works

The Hidden Performer: Algorithmic Indeterminacy in Electroacoustic Works

Mike shares his approach and philosophy behind programming algorithmic “instruments” (in the open-source software SuperCollider) for use improvisationally, compositionally, and in installations.

mccrmck.com

Musical Mechanics

Musical Mechanics

Using kinetic objects items to uncover new musical expressions. Extracting sound from non-aural gestures, and animating the inanimate. Group improvisation using my in progress ""laser-interface"" to narrate and guide musical ideas.

davysumner.com

The Marvelous Path

The Marvelous Path

An exploration of the Creative Act via improvisation, based on the 22 Major Arcana of the Tarot of Marseille.

jacquesburtin.com

Graphic Notation &  Scoring Improvisation

Graphic Notation & Scoring Improvisation

A workshop on a specific graphic notation language I have been developing over the last couple of years. The notation deals with aspects of sound/collaboration such as density, presence, and color, instead of more tradition western elements like rhythm and pitch. I'll bring a set of scores and teach the notation to everyone, then we can play them together!

sarahbellereid.com

Storytelling Through Song

Storytelling Through Song

A workshop sharing techniques and thoughts on how to compose music that supports the story of the lyrics, whether concurrently composing lyrics or setting an existing text. Various topics will be covered, including where to start, how to deduce what is important to preserve from the mood of an existing text, when to support the lyrics musically and when to let the music contrast with the message, and how to take ideas from works we already love. This workshop will not hold specific to any one genre, but explore what we can learn from anything we love.

marikagalea.com

Aesthetics of Bells

Aesthetics of Bells

Using bells in music does not seem to be a new idea as it has a long history from Medieval times to present, not to mention their application in different cultures from ancient times, and the entire repertoire of superstitions and spiritual beliefs about them. In my project, however, I am working with imperfect bells: cowbells, sheep bells, rustic bells, etc. It is their imperfection which interests me. They are among the most commonly disregarded acoustic components of human’s culture, whether as musical instruments or practical or ceremonial sound objects. My workshop is a part of my research-creation project called “soundscapes in the mist” which is based on the spectral properties of bells and their power to define space and to mark the auditory landscape. My music has several elements of indeterminacy which allows the performers to make decisions and modify the final output within a rigid structure.

roozbehtabandeh.com

Listen and Tune in

Listen and Tune in

Using mindfulness, instinct and deep inward & local listening to guide our ears to alternate tuning rather than plugging into our engrained equal temperament.

kathryn-shuman.com

Reverse-Engineered  Reduced Listening

Reverse-Engineered Reduced Listening

Introducing very basic elements of spectromorphological listening in order to create a collaborative performance score from the sounds of Westben's natural environment. By practicing reduced listening practices (listening without concern for the CAUSE of a sound) and applying simple graphical representations of observed sound, participants will create a sonic map of several locations, ultimately using this map as a score for performance with a mix of their own instruments and/or objects found in the surrounding environment.

soundcloud.com/ryangastonmusic

Mindfulness Exercises for  Creative Practice

Mindfulness Exercises for Creative Practice

Mindfulness exercises for creative practice, a series of individual and collective practices that can be done to encourage awareness, intention, and beginner's mind.

mollyjonesmusic.com

Embracing Ensembles as Collections of Personal  Ontologies

Embracing Ensembles as Collections of Personal Ontologies

I’ll offer suggestions on how ensembles that embrace each member's unique musical and life background is one way of counteracting the Meaning Crisis of our times. In complement to that philosophical framework, I'll be giving some non-genre-specific materials, games and listening activities aimed at improvising composers.

benfinleymusic.com

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Previous Next
Metaphors and Creation
The Hidden Performer:  Algorithmic Indeterminacy  in Electroacoustic Works
Musical Mechanics
The Marvelous Path
Graphic Notation &  Scoring Improvisation
Storytelling Through Song
Aesthetics of Bells
Listen and Tune in
Reverse-Engineered  Reduced Listening
Mindfulness Exercises for  Creative Practice
Embracing Ensembles as Collections of Personal  Ontologies

Westben Centre for Connection & Creativity through Music
Westben is a not-for-profit arts organization committed to bringing people together through music.

A Trent Hills Community

THE BARN
6698 County Road 30 North
Campbellford, ON, Canada, K0L 1L0

705-653-5508 or toll free 877-883-5777

THE SCHOOLHOUSE & BOX OFFICE
P.O. Box 1413, 6788 County Road 30
Campbellford, ON, Canada, K0L 1L0

705-653-5508 or toll free 877-883-5777

Westben Box Office
6788 County Road 30,
Campbellford, ON, ,
Canada
705-653-5508 westben@westben.ca
Hours
Mon Closed
Tue 10am - 4pm
Wed 10am - 4pm
Thu 10am - 4pm
Fri 10am - 4pm
Sat Closed
Sun Closed

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Is Westben accessible?

The Barn, Willow Hill and The Campfire venues have accessible parking and friendly golf cart chauffeuring, are complimentary! There are no steps into The Barn or into the washrooms. The Schoolhouse has 3 steps. We ask that wheelchair users advise the Box Office when tickets are booked. Please contact Westben for more information. Tel: 705-653-5508 or toll free 1-877-883-5777 westben.ca/contact