<p>Thanks to everyone for the interest/comments so far! Please share the post and encourage people to comment.</p>
<p>I'm not going to say much more at the moment—but before I go silent:</p>
<p>I'm fully aware that this won't suit some people who want, need or like lots of time to prepare things; but the point of this is not to create perfection each time. Let's be honest—having several rehearsals doesn't guarantee that either.</p>
<p>But this is not that sort of gig. In fact, it is not a gig at all—<em>it's an open workshop.</em></p>
<p>Personally I'm wanting to see the development of ideas: some things might not even be finished, just fragments of pieces that need to be heard [maybe discussed].</p>
<p>The "few rehearsals of new work, then gig" thing is actually very common: this is not that.</p>
<p>What I'm describing is "I've got this thing I'd like to do; will you help me work it through?"</p>
<p>With a workshop performance, the audience's expectations are managed by explaining very clearly what's about to be heard—no jargon or mystification. We have to be clear that some things will not work, but the experience of hearing something in its developmental phases is something special as well. That's what I'm wanting the audience to support.</p>
<p>On a practical level, I was thinking of a weekend early afternoon for preparation time; then early evening for the performance time.</p>
<p>And yes Chris, a trial run of this would possibly be useful!</p>
<p>I should also add that although DOME [why not?] has a primary focus on Derby, people from other places are welcome; but I <strong>would</strong> want to set restrictions on this, for example the composer and a high proportion of the ensemble has to be based in Derby/Derbyshire.</p>