Leigh-on-sea - System 50:50 workshop series 26.09.2026

Written by Phillip Morton

Introduction

System 50:50 in Sound - Ensemble Improvisation Music Workshop Series with Phil Morton

Starting on Saturday, 26th September, afternoon sessions, starts at 2:30PM, finishes off 4:30PM as part of Konsztrukting Soundz EVENING TWENTY-SEVEN, then continuing through October, November & December Konsztrukting Soundz evening concerts at the Fishermen’s Chapel, Leigh-on-Sea.

A simple, radical approach to ensemble improvisation:
• Play 50%
• Silent 50%
• You control when
• Full agency over what you play

Open to experienced musicians and amateur enthusiasts
Any instrument welcome
Completely free

Come and explore how silence can shape the music.

More details on the Konsztrukting Soundz website here
https://konsztruktingsoundz.co.uk/system-50-50-in-sound/

about

System 50:50 in Sound
Ensemble Improvisation Workshop Series led by Phil Morton

Free workshops for musicians of all levels interested in the practice of ensemble free form improvisation.

Workshop dates (all free, to attend)

• Saturday 26 September 2026, 2:30–4:30pm, (afternoon session as part of Konsztrukting Soundz EVENING TWENTY-SEVEN)
• Saturday 17 October 2026, 2:30–4:30pm, (as part of EVENING TWENTY-EIGHT)
• Saturday 14 November 2026, 2:30–4:30pm, (as part of EVENING TWENTY-NINE)
• Saturday 12 December 2026, 2:30–4:30pm, (as part of EVENING THIRTY)

Venue: Fishermen’s Chapel, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EA
Cost: Completely free
Instruments: Any
Experience: All levels welcome!

Join us for a four-session series exploring a simple yet powerful approach to ensemble improvisation.

In System 50:50 each player improvises for 50% of the piece and remains silent for 50%. These times are aggregate totals — you choose when to play and when to listen. Every participant manages their own clock and retains full agency over the sounds they make. The result is music shaped as much by silence as by sound. Ensemble density shifts moment by moment. Active listening becomes the main compositional force. The music creates itself.
The aim is to create something new, owned by those present, by exploring both the possibilities and the limits of freedom in music-making. System 50:50 introduces an egalitarian constraint that still leaves musicians with genuine agency — producing music that is often more open, cooperative and dynamic than conventional large-group free improvisation.

Open to:
• Experienced improvisers
• Amateur enthusiasts
• Players of any instrument
• All levels of experience

No previous free-improvisation experience required. The method works “straight out of the box”.

Come and help shape the sound with silence.

All welcome — please bring your instrument and an open ear.

+ - About Phil Morton Click to collapse

Phil Morton (Liverpool: UK) has developed System 50:50 over twenty years. He has been active in `free improvisation` as a player, promoter, and teacher since 1998 and as a listener since 1968. He commends this project, System 50:50 in sound, to all players of improvised music, free improvised music as a simple, unique methodology that addresses the complexity of the music. Phil Morton's personal belief is that this is a gift that keeps giving. A bold statement! It might be a fallacy or of substance, but the ongoing research process will explore this and find out.

+ - What past participants said Click to collapse

“It’s a really good way to get a group to play effectively without egos, virtuosity, and shyness getting in the way. It is democratic, inclusive, coherent, leaderless and focused.”
— Simon Ross

“The openness allowed me to play quietly, which meant the dynamics were incredible for an improvising large ensemble.”
— Charlie Collins

“It gives me permission to do nothing.”
— Jon Aveyard

Contact

Series schedule

System 50:50 in Sound
Ensemble Improvisation Workshop Series led by Phil Morton

Free workshops for musicians of all levels interested in the practice of ensemble free form improvisation.

Workshop dates (all free)
• Saturday 26 September 2026, 2:30–4:30pm, (afternoon session as part of Konsztrukting Soundz EVENING TWENTY-SEVEN)
• Saturday 17 October 2026, 2:30–4:30pm, (as part of EVENING TWENTY-EIGHT)
• Saturday 14 November 2026, 2:30–4:30pm, (as part of EVENING TWENTY-NINE)
• Saturday 12 December 2026, 2:30–4:30pm, (as part of EVENING THIRTY)

Venue: Fishermen’s Chapel, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EA
Cost: Completely free
Instruments: Any
Experience: All levels welcome!

Web and Social

Web site :

facebook page:

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Other

Youtube:

venues

The Venue

The Fishermen’s Chapel, a music, arts and community-based initiative and venue aiming to connect with the flourishing arts scene in the Leigh and Southend areas, and broader.

The Fishermen’s Chapel
Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2EA

(Google Maps link https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bj5a7yzDbsYByp6cA)

disclaimer

Disclaimer:1

The event details, in this instance have been posted by the artists, venue, event host, or promoter on this feature.
But be aware, humans can make human mistakes, so before travelling to the event, please verify the accuracy of the listed information such as the venue, date, and start time.
To confirm the provided information, you can visit the host's website or social media accounts.

Disclaimer:2

The website is currently maintained by one person (Phil Morton from Liverpool, UK). It's a large site that covers a wide range of topics.
Since it's a lot of work for just one person, there may be mistakes or omissions.
Let's cut the person some slack!
Can we offer any help? Could you offer help?