Performers in Residence
- Trio Atem (from Oct 2009)
Gavin Osborn - flute (*)
Nina Whiteman - voice (*)
Alice Purton - cello
(*) and electronics
Gavin Osborn - flute (*)
Nina Whiteman - voice (*)
Alice Purton - cello
(*) and electronics
DESCRIPTION OF THE SCHEME: The aim of the Performers in Residence Scheme at the NOVARS Research Centre is to procure the advancement of research in performative areas by inviting performers and instrumental practicioners to discuss, workshop, collaborate and perform new works created by electro-acoustic composers at the NOVARS Research Centre. Performance is not only understood as ' practice involving acoustic instruments' (combined or not with electronics), but also as 'sound diffusion' of acousmatic works across multiple speakers (in surround sound) and includes areas of live coding (one may argue that this is real-time composition) and real-time improvisation with electronics and visual media.
This scheme also aims to reinforce relationships within the school of music and drama at Manchester University, in areas of composition (both instrumental, vocal and electroacoustic) and to create and awareness in the undergraduate music programme about the potential of combining conventional instruments with computer music technologies.
TRIO ATEM
- Formed in 2007 when Alice Purton joined long-standing collaborators Gavin Osborn & Nina Whiteman to perform Helmut Lachenmann’s temA. Recent appearances include the York Late Music Festival 2008, & the Contemporary Music Festival (University of Leeds) 2009.
- Recent premieres include work by Mic Spencer, Edd Caine and Nina Whiteman; pipelined commissions include pieces by Camden Reeves, Richard Whalley, Ian Vine, Edd Caine and Larry Goves.
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Ensemble Aims & Objectives:
- To commission & perform new work, especially by younger generations of UK composers.
- Commitment to premieres but also to 2nd or 3rd performances in different venues to give wider coverage to composers; variety, contrast, & balance (programmes contain trios, solos, & duos).
- High quality & engaging performances of challenging 20th and 21st Century existing repertoire. (Lachenmann, Carter, Saariaho, Takemitsu, Kurtag, Berio, Hosokawa etc).
- Development of projects outside of concert halls, especially those involving collaboration with artists working in other media (visual arts, performance art, theatre media, etc).
- To stimulate interest in new music in younger audiences through concerts & education work, with performances linked to areas of study & performative experience of students.
- To attract new performance opportunities: our concerts are often attended by promoters for other concert series, as well as composers interested in offering us opportunities to present our & their work, and teachers who would like us to work with students.
- Archive of high quality recordings of live performances.
Individual biographies:
- Gavin Osborn is a flute-player, composer, sound artist & teacher based in Manchester. With over a decade's experience as a performer/composer, he is an established fixture in new, experimental & electroacoustic music. Appearances since 2006 include Sonic Skylines, SAN Expo, Sonorities Festival, Manchester International Festival, Futuresonic, the York Late Music Festival, Leeds University Contemporary Music Festival & the Walter Carroll concert series.
- Nina Whiteman is a composer and singer living in Manchester. As a singer, Nina specialises in challenging repertoire of last fifty years. Appearances include the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Emergency, Sonorities Festival and The Manchester International Festival. Nina’s music has been performed across the UK and in Europe by Psappha, The BBC Singers, Trio Fibonacci, The Elysian String Quartet and Richard Casey. She is also on the Sound & Music 2009 shortlist.
- Alice Purton is currently studying in her final year on the Manchester Joint Course with Raphael Wallfisch. As concerto soloist she has performed Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations, John Tavener's The Protecting Veil, and Gulda’s Concerto, and with the Lorelei quartet won the National Festival of Music for Youth. Contemporary performances outside Trio Atem include works by Birtwistle, Takemitsu, Nørgård, & music by Alvarez for cello, electronics & video.
