for-Wards: Curating a Hyperlocal Compositional Methodological Framework

Bobbie-Jane Gardner

In this exposition, I present the curatorial methods I devised to create a hyperlocal compositional methodology used in the research project, for-Wards. for-Wards is a two-year citywide music programme involving a large-scale artistic partnership to co-create new music within and about forty Birmingham wards. The curated hyperlocal methodological framework I constructed was used to support the creation of hyperlocal musical works. I use the term ‘hyperlocal’ which is borrowed from the realm of citizen journalism. It infers community-produced news that is extremely localised. Hyperlocal is concerned with events and stories within a specific geographic community (Radcliffe 2012).

List of Project Partners

This page acknowledges the participation of all the artistic, project, and community partners who contributed to this project:

Artistic Partners

Access Creative College - A national Further Education college supporting performing arts based in Ladywood district.

Birmingham Contemporary Music Group - a Ladywood district-based chamber ensemble specialising in the performance of new and contemporary classical music.

capsule - a Ladywood district-based arts organisation programming and commissioning alternative, unclassifiable new music for curious audiences.

Flatpack Projects - Ladywood district-based film programming arts organisation.

Hare and Hounds - a world-leading music venue based in Hall Green district.

Kalaboration - based in Ladywood district, programming and producing visual and performing artwork from the Asian and black diaspora.

MAC Birmingham – an arts centred based in Hall Green district specialising in contemporary work.

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (Birmingham City University) – a music conservatory based in Ladywood district.

Wassifa CIC – supports the Black History narrative by celebrating and acknowledging the achievements, contributions and struggles of the black community.

Composers

Pram (Experimental Pop)

Justin K Broadrick (Grindcore, Heavy, Brutal, Electronica)

Percy Pursglove (jazz, contemporary)

Bobbie-Jane Gardner (Contemporary, electronic, experimental)

Scott Johannsson (electronica, experimental, cinematic)

Grandmaster Gareth (jazz, lounge, psychedelia, 2- tone, pop, punk)

Xhosa Cole (jazz, electronic)

Simon Duggal (reggae, dancehall, hip hop, bhangra)

Pøgman (dubstep)

Annie Mahtani (experimental, sound art, electroacoustic)

Click here to learn more about the for-Wards composers.