Preparing the Body and Mind -- Creating Ensemble

Other Lands Other Sounds' USP is that we provide guidance and facilitation to help artists tap into their creativity, and start creating fast with other people. We've tried dropping experienced professional artists together on a residency with no guidance before - and let's just say, it was a struggle. That's why over many years of experience, we've come to place such emphasis on movement, creative games, and ensemble.

Every morning began with a movement session that everyone was encouraged to join (although not mandatory) in which we warmed up our bodies and our brains. We also used these sessions as opportunities to learn about performance, about listening, and moving together. The first movement session focused on meditation, body and sound awareness - it was a very gentle introduction to the space, ourselves, and the group. The next movement session focused on weight, balance, and rhythm. Filipe and Henrique improvised music for us that entire hour (thanks guys!), and it ended in a rousing primal sing along. Following that I wanted to share my exploration of singing yoga with everyone. In that session I talked everyone through some simple, yet detailed yoga poses, started introducing breath, and then sound, my aim being to situate sound, vibrations, and awareness in the body. For another movement session, we played with how we moved as an ensemble through the room, began responding to each other's movements, and eventually started to explore improv partner dance and sound. Another morning I focused on building a sense of awareness of space, focus, group speed, and narrative. On one of the mornings, Beatriz led a beautiful session based off of photographs she had brought. We chose a photograph, then tried to embody it in movement, and then created little dances in groups of three. All of the movement sessions were quite different, but shared a spirit of non-judgement and flow.

Often when we started the work of the day, or came together again after lunch, Filipe would lead us in some group exercises. Sometimes these were devising tools for the musicians which would then transform into a musical piece. These types of exercises improve our musicianship, our listening and response skills, and improvisation. They not only get us on the same page as an ensemble, but they can also be simple ways into creating new music from scratch. The video below shows a clapping game, which we then took further into making a specific pattern. From that specific pattern eventually emerged a full fledged piece, Roll the Dice.

Other times, we did various exercises intended for the whole group. These built our sense of trust, encouraged listening and problem solving. For instance, we made at least three valiant efforts at playing the knot game over the course of the workshop, although I think we never quite solved it! One afternoon, we did some exercises that emphasized group mind - could we all walk forward in a line together, without one person taking the lead. With our eyes closed, could we sense when the others were raising their arms? The video below shows another exercise involving group singing.

Another valuable aspect of these moments was that we were all together as an ensemble, regardless of our art form. These were times when we were all on a level playing field, all creating or playing together with what we had, and not separated into musicians and visual artists. Although each of us came with particular skills, we felt it was important to acknowledge that all of us have the ability within us to do many things, and that we shouldn't allow ourselves to be wholly defined by boxes and pigeonholes. Everyone demonstrated a beautiful bravery in taking on tasks and exercises that they may have been unfamiliar with, but were willing to try. What a great group we had!