On 30th August a free concert will take place at Our Facility in Selly Oak. This occasion marks the conclusion of James McIlwrath‘s time as Composer In Residence at Stan’s Cafe. Two pieces will be performed, both issuing from his residency. The Minutes is one of numerous pieces James has created translating our weekly company meetings into music, it is scored for a toy piano and runs for approximately two hours, audience members are encouraged to bring administrative work with them to do during the performance (note administrative work – if you are a blacksmith please leave your work at home). Scrap Score is composed in response to material pulled from our office’s recycling bin. This is scored for two bass recorders and is a concert performance to be sat and listened to. Following the concert there will be a miniature feast to celebrate James’ time with us (the food will be full size but there won’t be much of it). Everyone is welcome, please book tickets here.

The wonderful luxuary of having James with us came courtesy of the Composition Department at the Royal Birmingham Conservertoire and Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership. Essentially, James has spent a couple of years with us exploring a doctoral thesis of how to ‘add value’ to Stan’s Cafe as a Composer In Residence. Our self-imposed rule – which we’ve more or less stuck to – was that he couldn’t do any work we would normally pay a musician to do. This has resulted in a fantastic range of playful interventions that we feel have indeed added great value to Stan’s Cafe. James is now writing up his PhD and collating all the works he has made with us. When this stage is completed we’ll share things with you on website. Until then ring our door bell and please come to this concert.