Release date: 6 June 2025
To commemorate its 10th annual conference held in 2023 at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the RMA Study Group Music and/as Process (Ma/aP) proudly announces the release of Making Music Together, a new live album capturing the spirit of collaboration, experimentation, and community that defined this milestone event. The album features unique live recordings from the conference, where delegates were invited to engage in open-instrumentation works and directed group improvisations.
The central performances from the conference included directed improvisations led by Alistair Zaldua, whose ensemble line-ups were chosen at random, allowing for a fresh and dynamic approach to music-making. The album also features performances of contemporary works: Critical Mass (2023) by Steve Gisby, Post-card Sized Pieces (2020) by Sophie Stone, and What Is Left If We Aren’t The World (2021/22) by Emmanuelle Waeckerlé.
These recordings offer an immersive experience, celebrating the intersection of community, process, and musical exploration. The concert experiences were designed to reflect the essence of the conference’s theme – making music together – and capture a collective moment of creativity that transcends individual performances.
Founded in 2013 by Lauren Redhead and Richard Coffey-Glover, Ma/aP brings together academics, researchers, practitioners, and students to explore the concept of ‘process’ in music. The group focuses on work in which processes are integral, audible, and perceptible during live performance, with core interests in composition, performance practice, and the musicology of process. Ma/aP also champions practice-led research, promoting conferences, workshops, lecture recitals, and participatory performances. The group aims to elevate practice-based approaches to music as an equal partner to traditional academic discourse, fostering a rich environment for both creative and scholarly engagement.
This new album release stands as a testament to the dynamic, collaborative ethos of Ma/aP, celebrating ten years of exploration and innovation in the world of process-driven music.
The music on this release features the following performers: Alana Blackburn, Matthew Burke, Seán Clancy, Richard Coffey-Glover, Graham Dunning, James Fullegar, John Hails, Simon Helewell, Andy Ingamells, Lara James, Leah Kardos, Kevin Leomo, David May, James McIlwrath, Peter Nagle, Taibah Orpen, Lauren Redhead, Julia Schauerman, Alison Stevens, Sophie Stone, Anita Tomasevich, Maya Verlaak, Emmanuelle Waeckerlé, Nina Whiteman, Maureen Wolloshin, Alistair Zaldua.
RECORDING CREDITS
Recorded live at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 30th June and 1st July, 2023
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Seán Clancy
Cover image © Steve Gisby
Catalogue no: BRC027