Present Time Composition (PTC©) - Kompositorisches Denken als Steuerung der Solo- und Gruppenimprovisation

In the organizer's words:

Present-Time Composition, or PTC©, is a unique method for creating music, dance, theater or other performing arts in which individual and group improvisations are supported by compositional thinking. It was invented by Alan Bern in 2005 and has since been further developed in workshops at conservatories, music institutes, festivals and with performance groups in Europe and North America.

PTC© is both a specific performance concept and a step-by-step method for developing the skills to perform in this way. The method begins with exercises that train our awareness of the flow of impulses that is constantly active in each of us. This is similar in some ways to meditation, but PTC© is about focusing attention on the content of the involuntary impulses so that we can respond to them, rather than 'quieting' the mind. For many people, these first steps in PTC© are already a revelation that changes the way they experience themselves and the world around them.

Once we have the ability to perceive and respond to impulses, we begin to "load" them with higher levels of information that come from compositional, choreographic or theatrical thinking. Through this process, the impulses take on artistic complexity and become a continuous resource for artistic creation.

In this PTC© workshop for music, we will work with different types of exercises, including: i) impulses (as briefly described above), ii) constellations (the interpersonal dimensions of impulses and actions), iii) continuous duets (adding compositional thinking to improvisation) and iv) coached performance (incorporating impulses coming from an external coach into improvisation).

Instrumentalists and vocalists are welcome in this workshop. It is independent of the musical genre (such as jazz or classical) and no previous knowledge of music improvisation is required. It is not suitable for instrumental or vocal beginners: To participate, you should have a good technical command of your instrument. Most important is an open mind and ear and a curiosity about how our inner consciousness and outer musical sound can be deeply connected.

Leader

Alan Bern

Course times

Saturday 10:30-18:30
Sunday 10:30-18:30

Languages

de/en

Contact us

Content-related questions by e-mail to:
Alan Bern

Organizational questions by e-mail to
exploratorium berlin

Registration form

By form until June 13