director/ Ed Bennett

director/ Ed Bennett

Formed in 2002 as a collective of performers and composers decibel perform experimental and unusual work which generally exists between, or miles outside the usual unhelpful categories used today. Without trying to pigeon-hole the groups work they generally perform pieces which combine live instrumental ensemble music with electronics and in some cases live video mixing. One of their aims, apart from performing and promoting music they believe needs to be heard, is to perform in venues not necessarily associated with a contemporary music ensemble and therefore diversify and broaden their audience. They are also interested in collaborations with artists from different disciplines and intend to explore this work further in the future.

Featuring the unique voice of soprano Steve Halfyard and other regular Bennett collaborators, Roman Mints (violin), Evelyn Chang (piano), Fumiko Miyachi (keyboards) and Jeremy Woodruff (winds), the group can expand or diminsh their resources depending on the context of the performance.The lineup is completed by electronic composer/performer Brian Robinson and Ed Bennett on electronics.

Recent performances have taken place at the Moving On Music series (Belfast), Bang ‘03 festival, Crash festival (Dublin), Colourscape festival (York) and Leeds International Music Technology Conference.

Composers who have written for the group so far include Paul Whitty, Nye Parry, Joe Duddell, Ed Bennett, Fumiko Miyachi, Jeremy Woodruff, Diana Burrell, Joe Cutler, Andrew Hamilton, Michael Wolters, Simon Hall, Donnacha Dennehy and Michael Finnissy.