Experimental Music Event Series to Launch this September

Soundings is an exciting new event series that will bring some of the foremost experimental musical instrument makers and performers to Worcester.

This yearlong programme of events has been funded through Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants and will launch as part of Worcester Music Festival 2022, a not-for-profit music festival taking place between 16^th – 18^th September in multiple venues across the city.

The first Soundings events will be taking place in St Swithun’s Church on Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th September. They will add a distinctive new strand to the festival’s programme that, while not part of the festival’s fundraising activity, will engage artists, reach new audiences and help establish St Swithun’s as a venue for exceptional live performances.

Local artist and musical instrument maker Sam Underwood will curate and host this event, as well as presenting his own work as part of it. As an artist embedded in this unusual and inventive scene, Sam is uniquely placed to showcase this work and is looking forward to sharing his passion for it.

Ams – acoustic modular system

He also wants to hear from any local musical instrument makers who might be interested in showing their work as part of a short ‘open session’ at each event. Please email soundings@mrunderwood.co.uk if you are interested.

Support for this project has come from Severn Arts with investment from The Arches Worcester project, which is funded by the Cultural Development Fund – a DCMS / Arts Council England fund that focuses on developing the economic impact of creative industries, arts and heritage. The partners in this project have been busy working behind the scenes to put together a highly distinctive programme which will be announced in full soon.

Peter Knott, Area Director for Arts Council England, said:

“Taking part in music workshops like these is a fantastic way to bring people together to learn new skills, make new friends and discover new passions.

“Music and creativity have the power to boost wellbeing, confidence and self-expression so we’re delighted to be supporting this series of workshops through our National Lottery project grants.”

To keep up to date with news on the project, follow @worcsmusicfest and @soundingslive on social media.