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50:50 Ensemble Open House Open Call May 2024

50:50 Open house is ensemble music made in the present moment. The Listener, the musician, cannot predict the emergent properties of sound and personalities in this music, which 50:50 supports. Please read more, and if this sounds like music you would like to play, simply register your interest, and we will take it from there. This is an open call, and all levels of musical experience are welcome.

Introduction

Open House

Open house, meet new people, and take risks in music from a position of shared safety. This is an open call all levels of musical experience are welcome..

Ensemble Improvisations

Ensemble 50: 50 Open House is an online project that explores free ensemble improvisation in a large ensemble context. The ensemble uses System 50:50 to bring cohesion to the sound field, which can often become cluttered in a large ensemble. As a result, the performance creates a dynamic and shifting canvas of sound that allows small, discreet sounds to be heard and deeper layers to be felt and expressed. Participating in, witnessing, and hearing this performance is an exciting experience.

Fidelity: yes its online but don't let perfection be the enemy of the good

Fidelity issues can have a negative impact on shared music in a Zoom room. However, there is a proven solution called System 50:50 that can benefit online improvisations and reduce the risk of frustration caused by fidelity issues. It's important to note that while it doesn't completely eliminate the risk, it does significantly reduce it.

History and evidence

Phil Morton has been hosting online sessions twice a week since May 2020. The consistent high attendance rate over time demonstrates that these Zoom sessions are a practical option for improvisers who wish to stay connected with like-minded individuals and enhance their improvisational skills as part of a hybrid practice.

Find out more about 50:50 for improvisers.

To find out more about System 50:50 for improvisers please go to the tab `About System 50:50`

Sign up, register your interest

Register your interest by visiting the Registration tab and choosing a method to share your details and interests.

Author: Phil Morton, Liverpool: UK
Proofreader: Alexa

Registration

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Name of event, please enter Ensemble 50:50 Open House Online
Location: please enter, On zoom
Comments: add your comments and any requests for support with Zoom and the associated technologies required to support online participation.

Name:*
E-mail:*
Name of the event or project, you have viewed on the website that interests you*
Location of the project if known: if not known, simply enter `not known`*
add your name to the contact list for this project and receive newsletters: .*
Your comments, tell us a little bit about yourself and your interest in this project*
Word Verification: The script is small and can lead to errors. Try the zoom function in your browser settings to make the script larger.

Email: please send an email, sharing your interest in this project to: philmorton@improvisersnetwork.co.uk

To register for this event and project via eventbrite, please follow the link below.
The link will display all events posted to the Improvisers Networks Online account.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/improvisers-networks-online-26497896907

Schedule

The plan is a session every two weeks—obstacles: UK bank holidays, no Zoom host available.

GMT : UTC+0 - Sessions start at 19.00 hours

Monday, January 15, 2024
Monday, January 29, 2024
Monday, February 12, 2024 , this session was delivered. Three names, located in three countries. FAB
Monday, February 26, 2024 , this session was delivered, four people in attendance.
Monday, March 11, 2024
Monday, March 25, 2024

BST 31.03.2024, BST = GMT+1, or UTC+1. Sessions start at 19.00 hours

Monday, April 8, 2024
Monday, April 22, 2024
Monday, May 6, 2024 - UK Bank Holiday - no session, apologies for being UK-centric
Monday, May 20, 2024 - cancelled due to a lack of numbers confirmed @ 13.00 hours
Monday, June 17, 2024 
Monday, June 3, 2024
Monday, July 1, 2024
Monday, July 15, 2024
Monday, July 29, 2024
Monday, August 12, 2024
Monday, August 26, 2024  - UK Bank Holiday - no session, apologies for being UK-centric
Monday, September 9, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024
Monday, October 7, 2024
Monday, October 21, 2024

Local time is GMT 27.10.2024 - GMT is UTC+0 - Sessions start at 19.00 hours

Monday, November 4, 2024
Monday, November 18, 2024
Monday, December 2, 2024
Monday, December 16, 2024
Monday, December 30, 2024

About System 50:50

The aim is to create something new in a musical sense owned by those present by exploring the possibilities of freedom, improvisation and their limitations. The approach of System 50:50 for improvisers is to shape the sound with silence, to shape the ensemble size from moment to moment, then to empower the musicians with agency. They shape the music through active listening. The System 50:50 approach can be applied to ensembles of any size to achieve the aim.


Description

The duration of the piece is agreed before the start of the performance..
A performer must play for 50% of the duration of the piece and remain silent for 50% of the duration of the piece
Example

If the duration of the piece is 16 minutes, the performer plays for 8 minutes and is silent for 8 mins. Each player is free to choose when they play and when they are silent within the duration of the piece but they must have a 50/50 balance between playing and being silent. It is expected that each player will improvise their music.
Quick summary using 50:50 ratio

Each player `improvises` for 50% of the piece
Each player is `tacet` for 50% of the piece
The totals are aggregated
Each player/improviser has their own clock and manages their own time
Each player has `agency` over the content they share during the performance.


System 50:50 for improvisers - Click the link for a detailed description and history.

https://www.improvisersnetworks.online/system-50-50-an-introduction

Delivered by the primary and preferred time management option:

Mechanical chess clocks are required to facilitate the aim of the system. One of the pair of dials is called ‘tacet’ and the other ‘free play’.See image above. Each performer has an individual chess clock to monitor and manage their contribution. The performer plays when the ‘free play’ dial is running down and is silent when the ‘tacet’ dial is running down.

Youtube demonstration, Duration 1 minute Ratio 50:50 or 1:1 Content, is speech, status managed by the rocker (lever): URL LINK

Link to image of an adapted chess clock URL LINK

Selected feedback about system 50:50

Simon Ross (Macclesfield), Blank Canvas Octet - Liverpool

System 50/50 works well - 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, focused, there is room to think and time to listen, choices. It is less competitive more cooperative. Ends well.

Charlie Collins Sheffield

On system 50:50 “Definitely something with LOADS of possibilities - the reaction in the car driving back was unbelievably positive - no one could remember playing in a large ensemble that was so "open". The openness allowed me to play quietly, which meant the dynamics were incredible for an improvising large ensemble.”

Dan Goren, Oxford Improvisers.

`"It seems to me that any attempt to restrict what free improvisers play, presents a threat to the core nature of their music. Generally, 'To play or not play' is about as far as any predetermination can productively go, the player retaining (almost!) complete formal agency regarding when and what (s)he decides to play"

Richard Harding Liverpool.

``Sometimes in free improv it is just not working but we carry on in the hope it will get better, in system 50:50 if it (free improv) is not working one can select tacet and stop playing`

Jon Aveyard, Lecturer UCLan University England

`It gives me permission to do nothing`

Helen Conning, Liverpool.

It is democratic

Maggie Nicol - West Wales.

I want to buy twelve 50:50 clocks

The Open House online session supports

  • Ensemble improvisations made without prior preparation.
  • Using Zoom break-out rooms means we can support any number of participants.
  • Open access - there is no peer-to-peer review of applicants - all levels of musical experience are welcome.
  • You can bring whatever is in your sonic toolbox.
  • An online session to support a hybrid working pattern for improvisers.
  • It will increase your frequency of playing and ensemble improvisations.

Zoom Supports.

  • You do not have to travel to the venue, come rain or shine.
  • The participants will come from a more extensive geographical capture.
  • A different social, community vibe - you are often face to face with everyone in the room.
  • In Zoom, it is a simple process for the host to record a session. The Zoom host can share the recordings to support your interest and development in playing improvised music.

System 50:50 for improvisers supports.

  • The shaping of sound with silence
  • The shaping of the ensemble with tacet.
  • System 50:50 works well on Zoom.

Here is what Simon Ross wrote about System 50:50

System 50/50 works well - 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, focused, there is room to think and time to listen, choices. It is less competitive more cooperative. Ends well. Simon Ross

Office use

version #10

RTM: Yes, search phrase `open house` works ion 29 03 2024
List 034 System 5050
try
https://www.rememberthemilk.com/app/#list/50332923/1033847572

Calendar

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BST 31.03.2024
GMT 27.10.2024

UK Bank Holidays

https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays


Tags
open google calendar -find the generic listing
add read more > featured > dates < test > test in different modules.
dont forget north west

Scripts

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