The Punk Orchestra: An alternative approach to developing a shared compositional language
For Simon's research, he will be asking the question: how do you compose graphic scores that will enable improvising musicians from disparate creative backgrounds to engage with each other in a way that functions democratically? In his search for a solution, Simon will be creating a micro-society to find a unified musical language between different approaches to music making. This will be accompanied by a written commentary where Simon discusses the creative process and explain the methods of acquiring certain musicians to progress the work.
Simon will be working closely with a group of peers that makes up the performers in his compositions. This will be done to explore long-term creative partnerships and include musicians from disciplines such as rock, jazz, classical and noise. Having this group will enable Simon to explore ways how musicians from different communities can interact with each other and find a compatibility with these individual musical languages. He aims to sustain long term creative partnerships with several of these collaborators by working in this way. The overall aim is to establish a new system that has the ability to incorporate several personal voices which will allow more opportunities for performing in a way that feels truly collaborative. Simon will be working as a reflective practitioner and he will use the results of each composition to develop the next one.
Paton, S., & Schwartz, J. (2019) Tour as Noise: The Macro-Gestures of Trans-Atlantic Movement. Riffs: Experimental Writing on Popular Music Volume 3 Issue 2. Birmingham City University
Paton, S. (2017) Hindrances and Enhancements to Sub-Cultures: An Analysis to Observe the Effects of Self-Organised Musical Activities onto the Finished Creative Product. Keep It Simple Make It Fast! An Approach to Underground Music Scenes Volume 3. University of Porto
“I Was Thinking….and then I Wasn’t Thinking”: The DIY Festival as a Compositional Tool. Keep It Simple Make It Fast (KISMIF) Conference 4th-7th July 2018, University of Porto, Portugal
Arkestra of Wolves: Observations into the Practicalities of the Self Organised Large Ensemble. Punk Scholars Network 12th-13th December 2017, University of Bolton, United Kingdom
Hindrances and Enhancements to Sub-Cultures: An Analysis to Observe the Effects of Self-Organised Musical Activities onto the Finished Creative Product. 4th International Performance Studies Network 14th-17th July 2016, Bath Spa University, United Kingdom