The Standedge Improvisation - Short Report

Aren't some spaces inspiring? I was intrigued last year when my good friend Colin Robinson told me about the North of England Music and Arts Centre in the former Standedge Visitor Centre, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, near Marsden. We duly jumped in the car and went over to have a look and a brew.

Wow! A unique 1800s canal warehouse turned into an arts centre and events venue. (Hanson) family run - championing music, with numerous ensembles and individual teaching supporting the music community (they are also world-leading clarinet makers but that is another story.) Much more on the centre here

Anyway... My approach is always to have a conversation and see whether people are interested in doing anything. Talking about Cold Bath Street was very well received and within a short time we were booking in a session. Now, obviously with this amazing building/surrounding it had to be something special. I was reminded of of the Murmurist sessions led by Anthony Donovan who would prepare a complex set of elaborate scores for special events. What about planning something specific for Standedge?

As well as doing an interesting score, Standedge also wanted a talk. The Calderdale group is lucky to have around ten regulars, from time spent working with them I felt it would really help their improvising to use the talk to offer ways to move the music - to make change from within the improvisation. I'll do another post focusing on Change and conveying some of that information on this site soon.

So, I prepared the talk, prepared the score, but other than a few of those 'regulars' I don't know who is going to be going...hmmmm. I shouldn't have worried. On the day we had a fantastic selection of people show up - lots of new faces. Basses, guitars, voices, flute, Shruti box, cornet, saxophone, mandolin, keyboards, hand drums… You get the idea! TBH there were a couple of looks of absolute confusion as I ploughed into how to move bass notes in order to get tonality to change but everyone made the bold step to TRY IT - head happily into the unknown - Thank You!

I was a little thrown by the non-appearance of our drummer (...drummers !) Luckily, I had prepared one too many exercises and with a quick bit of reworking was able to keep the session flowing. Once people went to their instruments, did some warm up exercises, had the essential pre-improvisation tea break, with a few gentle prompts, exciting things started to happen.... as often is the way of things!

I'll put a couple of snippets on the Soundcloud soon. In the meantime to mention the next session will be in Unit 4, Northgate House, Halifax on April the 12th. No tickets needed for that one. Arrive 1230 to set up. Ready to play at 1pm. All Welcome to play or listen.

Many thanks to the Hanson family and all who attended the session and whoever left me the coconut biscuit! Colin and Elle provided phone pics - Cheers!