In the Community

The Hermes Experiment were delighted to present their SONG Virtual Composition Project, which took place in 2021. Click on the image below to find out more:

A core part of The Hermes Experiment’s vision is that classical music can be relevant to everyone, and that it is worth challenging many of the stereotypes and formalities with which it is often associated. We also believe that contemporary classical idioms are a powerful, engaging and flexible tool that can put to excellent use in learning and participation work. In practice, we always strive to present our music in a way which engages a broad range of audiences with contemporary classical music, including through the use of spoken programme notes and carefully planned staging and theatricality. However, we also recognise the broad range of educational, developmental and health benefits that can come from the application of music in specific creative learning and participation contexts. We are therefore committed to such work and believe that we have something unique and productive to offer. As an ensemble, our unusual combination gives exposure to minority instruments and unique sounds, and the presence of a singer ensures easy access to text where appropriate. The extensive part played by free improvisation in our work is also relevant in approaching the flexibility, accessibility and interaction demanded in creative learning and participation work, and we believe that the significant theatricality in our performances is also valuable in such contexts.

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Leeds Conservatoire – October-December 2021

Workshopping new works by undergraduate students from Leeds Conservatoire. 

SONG Virtual Composition Project – 2021 

The Hermes Experiment are delighted to present their SONG Virtual Composition Project, which took place in 2021. Designed to withstand the challenges of the current pandemic, the ensemble worked virtually with state secondary school students from five different London boroughs. Students had the opportunity to compose songs for the ensemble and received personalised feedback and recordings. The project culminated in our Online Song Gallery, which features video recordings of participants’ compositions. More information here. 

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance: Composers Project – 2021, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2018-17

Workshopping new works by Master’s Composition students at Trinity, culminating in recordings and public performances. 

Birmingham University – December 2020

We workshopped new works by undergraduate students from the University of Birmingham. 

Royal College of Music – 2019-2020

We worked with undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Royal College of Music throughout the 2019/20 academic year, workshopping their new pieces, culminating in an open masterclass.

BBC Proms Inspire Day – August 2019

It was a pleasure to work with 30 talented young composers as part of the BBC Proms Inspire Day 2019. Together with composer Samantha Fernando, we ran a full-day workshop, culminating in the performance of 30 new compositions. 

School Composition Workshops – 2018-19

We were delighted to receive funding from Arts Council England to run workshops in three state schools as part of our 5th Birthday project. We visited Bolingbroke Academy Clapham, Whitmore High School Harrow and Impington Village College Cambridge. We introduced our instruments, gave examples of and advice on using diverse compositional methods featured in the school curriculum, gave performances, and conducted interactive compositional activities with students.

Young Composers of Dyfed – 2018-19

The Hermes Experiment were ensemble in residence for this project that works with students in schools across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion throughout the academic year, led by composer Lynne Plowman. We visited in September and in April, firstly to present our instruments and give composition workshops, and then to perform and record over 80 new pieces for our quartet! We also visited Ysgol Heol Goffa SEN School in Carmarthen in September 2018 to give musical workshops. More information here.

 

 

Royal Academy of Music: Composers Project – 2017-18 & 2018-19

Workshopping new works by Master’s Composition students at the RAM, culminating in a public concert in the David Josefowitz Recital Hall.

University of Glasgow – February 2018

Workshopping new works by PhD composition students from the University of Glasgow.

Colourscape Festival – September 2017

Performing in the amazing Colourscape presented by Eye Music on Clapham Common, London. We encouraged people wandering in the Colourscape to draw graphic scores for us which we then improvised for them.

 

University of Cambridge: Student Composers Workshop – February 2017

Workshopping new works by student composers.

Cambridge Youth Music: Young Composers’ Competition Concert – October 2016

Workshopping and performing all the entries for Cambridgeshire’s Young Composer of the Year Competition.

More information here.

Eton College, Windsor: Workshop with young composers – February 2016

Working with young composers, including using improvisation – introducing our instruments, experimenting with new sounds, helping to develop musical ideas.

Wigmore Hall ‘For Crying Out Loud!’ Concert – September 2015

For Crying Out Loud! concerts provide an opportunity for new parents and their babies to enjoy a programme of chamber music in an accommodating environment. More information here.

Purcell School: Workshop with young composers – March 2015

Working with young composers, including using improvisation – introducing our instruments, experimenting with new sounds, helping to develop musical ideas.

Wigmore Hall Chamber Tots Series – 2014-15

Music-making workshops for children aged 1 to 5 and their parents/carers. We develop workshops featuring singing and movement, as well as giving a chance to explore our ensemble’s instruments close up. More information here.