Composition Workshop with Francis Heery

In this workshop hosted by Francis Heery, participants will explore non-linear approaches to score writing, and look at how improvisatory practices can be integrated into contemporary composition. Over the past number of years Francis has been developing a compositional approach he terms ‘psycho-affective’ notation, which aims to activate intensified creative resonances between composer, score, performer and sound.

He will present a number of his own works which exemplify this method and reflect his interest in psycho-geography, occult thought and the notion of the ‘uncanny’. These works will include Not Knowing What Brambles Are (2024), which will be performed at the Music Current Festival. The workshop will invite participants to reflect imaginatively on new ways of composing and will encourage speculative thinking on the possibilities of notation and musical expression.

Francis Heery (M.Phil, PhD) is a composer, performer and curator. His music is inspired by post-humanism and psycho-geography. His recent compositions integrate improvisational strategies with mixed media scores, and make extensive use of live electronics. Currently the question guiding his work is: ‘to what extent is the idea of music as a ‘living phenomenon’ merely a metaphor?’ He performs regularly in Berlin and is co-founder of untergrün and Nexus, two monthly concert series dedicated to improvised and experimental music. His compositions have been performed by the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Crash Ensemble, Quiet Music Ensemble, James Aylward, Ingólfur Vilhjálmsson, Izumi Kimura, Carin Levine, Talujon Percussion Quartet, Pascal Galois and the JACK quartet. He also makes ‘Fortean’ electronica under the name The Cube Of Unknowing, with eight albums released on various international labels.

Music Current workshops are supported by the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland. Composer participants resident on the island of Ireland, travelling from outside Dublin, may apply to CMC for a bursary to cover the cost of travel, subsistence and workshop entry fee by contacting festival staff when attending workshop events, or by emailing info@musiccurrent.ie

Read more about Music Current Festival 2026.