Arcomis Brass

Inspired by the Arcomis International Brass Event, the Arcomis Brass app features specially commissioned interactive music pieces that feature brass instruments. The Arcomis Brass app enables a 'player' to interact with the basic elements of music in order to produce a range of variations in a similar way to improvised music. Each "performance" of the piece will be different but the sound of each piece is inherently distinctive. The app, just like any other instrument, has been designed to be accessible to everyone but also to enable more advanced and nuanced performances.

The Arcomis Brass app compositions are divided into a series of pages, or tableaux, each of which features a number of cells represented by a collection of round on-screen buttons. Each button represents one cell of the composition. The button is used to start and stop the playing of each cell. Behind the scenes the compositional framework of the app enables composers to specify a set of rules that govern how cells behave and how they combine with other cells already sounding. For example, the composer may inhibit certain cells from sounding simultaneously or prevent one cell from sound after another. The size and the position of the on-screen buttons also change based on the rules that the composer has set. This allows the composer to suggest which cells should or shouldn't play based on the currently sounding cells without forcing the user to preform specific actions.

The app takes as its starting point the same idea as the Brass Event itself, which is to enable access to contemporary musics in an accessible and attractive way. The compositional framework for the app implements a specific kind of mobile form. The composer will have produced fragments of musical material, whether this is a single musical line, a single chord, or a more developed polyphonic texture. The interface encourages users of all abilities and experience to explore issue of musical form and composition. The aim of the app from the outset has been create something that is engaging, and produces musically interesting results, whether the user is a highly experienced musician or a young child.

Arcomis International Brass Event is a fantastic opportunity to experience the world's most celebrated brass music and musicians in one place, at one time. The event will package an unrepeatable programme of soloists, ensembles and masterclasses into an exceptional four day festival of brass without boundaries.
• World-class concerts from the very best brass musicians.
• Behind-the-scenes sessions with internationally renowned performers, teachers and composers.
• A unique international event for the public, professional musicians, students and children.