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Splinter Orchestra – in residence

Publication

25.01.2026

Splinter Orchestra 

Splinter  is a large-scale electro-acoustic improvising Orchestra playing with Dharug Country, Sydney, Australia.  

One of the few groups of its kind anywhere else in the world, Splinter was formed in 2002, currently comprises 30+ members and brings together musickin from various backgrounds to co-create on equal terms – without any leaders, composers, or conductors. 

The ensemble is based on a social, democratic, gender equal and a non-hierarchical cooperation via improvisation. Inherently this regard and reciprocity is extended to non-human musickin, and Place 

Each Splinter iteration is an ecology where musicians can explore instrumental and vocal techniques, and relations in unconventional ways.  Thier process is musicking, recording, listening, and discussion.

In February Splinter will work to develop a new durational Orchestration with the exciting new home of The Living Room Theatre at 21 Shepherd. Over many years, Splinter abandoned standard concert-hall rituals and worked towards large scale, longer durations, moving orchestrations; a co-creative engagement with Place. They will generate ways of working that are co-creative with 21 Shepherd and relevant to the group of musickin who now constitute the Orchestra.

Much of Splinter’s public work for many years has been an exploration of moving together to create orchestral playing in vast spaces – at Mungo, Pilliga, Jindabyne, and Bundanon the geophony (weather) and biophony (critters) has as much say as any anthrophony (cars, planes, axe-throwers and musicking). This residency will be to learn how to play with this Place and the sounds that swirl in and around it.

Their aim is to find and develop appropriate ways to co-create with 21 Shepherd and its surrounding streets and alleys.

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