Sound Maps 2025
Tom Whitwell
April 26–May 1st, 2025
An Album in One Week: Graphic scores in Cornwall's quiet
The Basics
- Five nights accommodation in Cornwall.
- Four full days of teaching, workshops, discussions and activities.
- All inclusive - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks included
- All dietary requirements catered for.
The Highlights
- Work and learn with Tom Whitwell in Cornwall.
- Create your own work in response to the Cornish landscape and with support and guidance from Tom.
- Optional outings to walk, swim & explore the Cornish coastline.
Join Tom Whitwell for this 2025 residential workshop exploring graphic and text scores, improvisation, modular synths, and other sound-making devices. We’ll collaboratively create an album in just one week, drawing inspiration from the beautiful Cornish landscape that surrounds us.
During this immersive residency we’ll use computer-generated indeterminate scores. Tom will guide us as we craft and customise these scores together. Each participant will actively contribute to the development of their unique score, generated from a shared 'score engine.'
Drawing from last year's workshop and from Tom’s prior experiences—such as recording an album in one evening using a modular system and Python-generated text scores—we’ll embrace spontaneity and innovation. This year’s workshop includes fresh approaches to generative music-making and integrating new sound technologies.
Throughout the week, we’ll explore alternative music notation, taking inspiration from pioneers like John Cage, Bob Cobbing, David Tudor, and Pauline Oliveros. Activities will include field recording excursions to collect sonic textures from Cornwall’s natural surroundings and crafting scores influenced by its elements. You’re encouraged to bring your own compact sound-making devices (shoebox-sized or smaller). Tom will also provide a variety of small modular systems for experimentation.
By the end of our exploration, participants will discover innovative ways to create tangible and unconventional musical scores, understand sound processing through Eurorack modular synthesis, and collaboratively craft a full album of new works.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity for both experienced modular synth enthusiasts and newcomers alike to explore sound creation, find inspiration in nature, and experiment with generative notation techniques.
Testimonials from Sound Maps 2024 :
“Sound Maps exceeded all my expectations. The opportunity to spend a week so deeply immersed in musical exploration and creative collaboration with such a wonderful group of people would have made for a dream come true on its own. But getting to do all that in a stunning Cornwall setting, under expert instruction, and while being fed outrageously delicious food meant that the whole thing added up to one of the most fulfilling, rewarding and memorable experiences I've ever had.”
- Aidan
“I've been on several music courses before, and have enjoyed them all, for the music and the social aspect, and the performing. But none of them have been anything like as intense and meaningful as the Sound Maps residency.”
- P.
During this immersive residency we’ll use computer-generated indeterminate scores. Tom will guide us as we craft and customise these scores together. Each participant will actively contribute to the development of their unique score, generated from a shared 'score engine.'
Drawing from last year's workshop and from Tom’s prior experiences—such as recording an album in one evening using a modular system and Python-generated text scores—we’ll embrace spontaneity and innovation. This year’s workshop includes fresh approaches to generative music-making and integrating new sound technologies.
Throughout the week, we’ll explore alternative music notation, taking inspiration from pioneers like John Cage, Bob Cobbing, David Tudor, and Pauline Oliveros. Activities will include field recording excursions to collect sonic textures from Cornwall’s natural surroundings and crafting scores influenced by its elements. You’re encouraged to bring your own compact sound-making devices (shoebox-sized or smaller). Tom will also provide a variety of small modular systems for experimentation.
By the end of our exploration, participants will discover innovative ways to create tangible and unconventional musical scores, understand sound processing through Eurorack modular synthesis, and collaboratively craft a full album of new works.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity for both experienced modular synth enthusiasts and newcomers alike to explore sound creation, find inspiration in nature, and experiment with generative notation techniques.
Testimonials from Sound Maps 2024 :
“Sound Maps exceeded all my expectations. The opportunity to spend a week so deeply immersed in musical exploration and creative collaboration with such a wonderful group of people would have made for a dream come true on its own. But getting to do all that in a stunning Cornwall setting, under expert instruction, and while being fed outrageously delicious food meant that the whole thing added up to one of the most fulfilling, rewarding and memorable experiences I've ever had.”
- Aidan
“I've been on several music courses before, and have enjoyed them all, for the music and the social aspect, and the performing. But none of them have been anything like as intense and meaningful as the Sound Maps residency.”
- P.
Residency Lead
Tom Whitwell: A former journalist and magazine editor (Mixmag & The Face), Tom designs open source music electronics as Music Thing Modular and is and is objectively interesting (according to the book Do Interesting - Notice. Collect. Share). Tom also writes fascinating lists on the internet: 52 things Tom Learned in 2024
In a freewheeling conversation about nearly everything with Mylar Melodies on his Why We Bleep Podcast, Tom starts by discussing the use of constraints in music and some of his research in preparation for the 2024 residency – it’s well worth a watch/listen here.
︎︎︎ musicthing.co.uk
︎ tomwhitwell
︎ musicthing
Room Types
Private King:
A luxurious private king sized bed room, designed for a single guest, offering a large and cosy King Sized bed, clothes hanging space, a dressing table, drawers, and a comfortable reading chair. It's the ideal choice for guests seeking more privacy and space during the retreat.
Shared Room:
Shared with up to 3 other guests, this quaint and cosy space provides each guest with their own alcove area. Each alcove is equipped with a comfy single bed, a side table, and a reading light. The overall atmosphere is light and airy, and you also have your own storage space. This setup is ideal for solo travellers or those attending the retreat with a friend.
Shared Twin:
A beautiful room designed for two guests, featuring 2 Twin Beds, clothes hanging space, a dressing table, drawers, and a comfy reading chair. This room is perfect for pairs traveling together. Limited availability (for further details please email).
Grants
We have two grants designed to assist those who may need financial support to attend. One grant is available to Cornwall residents, and the other is open to anyone else.
To apply for a free place, please write to us to tell us in no more than 300 words why you want to attend. You should describe how attending the workshop will help you as an individual, and what you hope to achieve through the experience.
︎︎︎ EMAIL US to apply
GRANT DEADLINE FEB 1st, 2025.
Dyski
Pronounced [dɪski], a Cornish Verb which means to learn, or to teach.
Creative residential workshops in Cornwall with a focus on immersive, experimental & place-based learning.
Pronounced [dɪski], a Cornish Verb which means to learn, or to teach.
Creative residential workshops in Cornwall with a focus on immersive, experimental & place-based learning.
Grants
We offer cutting-edge immersive workshops that nurture creativity, emphasising community support and giving back. Each Dyski workshop includes two grants, designed to assist those who may need financial support to attend. One grant is available to Cornwall residents, and the other is open to anyone else.
We offer cutting-edge immersive workshops that nurture creativity, emphasising community support and giving back. Each Dyski workshop includes two grants, designed to assist those who may need financial support to attend. One grant is available to Cornwall residents, and the other is open to anyone else.