Three Southampton artists have been selected to be part of The Ripple Effect, an experimental an experimental music project with the ground-breaking ensemble The Third Orchestra.
Oboist Anna Durance, poet Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly, and electronic musician Matt Brombley will work with The Third Orchestra to co-create and perform new music.
The Ripple Effect: The Third Orchestra is presented by Turner Sims in association with Orchestras Live. This pioneering project will see Anna, Issa and Matt join co-composition and writing days in London and Southampton under the guidance of the director of the orchestra, composer and music leader, Peter Wiegold. The Ripple Effect will draw on their heritage, tradition and identity to generate experimental new works to be shared with audiences on Thursday 30th March.
Anna Durance has lived in Southampton since 2014 and has an eclectic musical career, combining performance, teaching and creative production. Amongst her many musical achievements, Anna is one of the founding members of new music group Workers Union Ensemble, she held second oboe with SÓN – former Turner Sims orchestra in association, and she is director of PLAYLIST, which brings exceptional performers into unexpected spaces in Southampton.
She says: “I am passionate about bringing new works into being and love being part of that process in whatever capacity… I think I’ll learn a tonne from collaborating with artists who come from different backgrounds and disciplines.”
Poet Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly was born and raised in the city, and many will recognise him from his appearance in the film for Southampton’s recent City of Culture bid. His work has been described variously as psychedelic, percussive, mantric, beat poetry and he is passionate about working with musicians.
Issa says: “Working with The Third Orchestra attracted me because, philosophically and artistically, their ethos and output resonates deeply. I am most looking forward to the process of working, without pre-script/from a blank canvas, alongside peers.”
Musician, producer, educator and lecturer Matt Brombley has been part of Southampton’s music scene for more than 15 years. Matt is the development and inclusion manager at Southampton Music Hub and associate lecturer in popular and digital music production at Solent University. As a musician, he brings together samples, synthesisers, and his own voice, to create music which spans a wide range of modern and experimental genres.
Matt says: “For me, as an electronic musician, I’ve never felt like the orchestra was a place where I could belong. But when I heard about The Ripple Effect – what The Third Orchestra were doing, and how Turner Sims and Orchestras Live were bringing that approach to the city – for the first time, I saw a way in which I might be able to actually belong… I’m really excited to explore the possibilities.”
Turner Sims Concert Hall Manager Kevin Appleby says: “The Ripple Effect perfectly reflects Turner Sims’ mission to connect, move and inspire through music. We’re thrilled to be bringing together the diverse creative talent of Southampton artists Matt, Anna and Issa, with the incredible musicians of The Third Orchestra. This is an exciting prospect with endless possibilities. I’m grateful to our partners and funders including Orchestras Live for making this pioneering venture a reality, and to the artists involved for bringing their collective ideas to life.”
Sooree Pillay from Orchestras Live says: “I felt privileged to meet and learn more about the diverse and exciting potential among artists in Southampton for this project. Orchestras Live is proud to be a part of this initiative bringing our fantastic three selected artists together with world class music maestros of The Third Orchestra, led by the eminently brilliant Peter Wiegold.”
Director Peter Wiegold says, “Anna is a first class and adventurous oboist, Matt a wizard with electronic technology, sampling and treating the sounds as they go, and Issa a poet with a heart, able to capture the essence of a place, a time. Their range and imaginations so fit with our outlook, I can’t wait to see what happens when they co-create and perform with our musicians, who come from across world music.”
The Ripple Effect culminates in a performance for local schools at the end of March. The new music created will also be showcased in a public performance from The Third Orchestra, including the Southampton musicians, on Thursday 30 March at Turner Sims Southampton.
- Tickets are on sale now and available from www.turnersims.co.uk or call the Box Office on 023 8059 5151.
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