Cheap DJ
Workshop
A sound-arts class for young people
This all-ages workshop was part of a series of music/sound workshops led by Toronto Public Library artist- in-residence Christopher Willes in 2017 and 2019.
Through hands on experimentation and discussion, participants explored techniques of noise music and sonic collage by creating home made sound-making instruments and improvising together.
Participants are introduced to historical practices of experimental music, specifically abstract turntablism and sound-art traditions that involve home-made/DIY instruments. Each participant is then guided to build their own contact microphone and a lo-fi turntable instrument (made out of out of cardboard). The workshop ends with a group improvised noise music performance in the library.
Credits
Project by Christopher Willes. Created as part of the Toronto Arts Council’s Artists in the Library residency program. Special thank you to Raymond Bai of the Toronto Public Library for assisting with program development and participant outreach.
Presentations
- Toronto Public Library, Albion, 2023
- Toronto Public Library, Cedarbrae Library, 2019
- Toronto Public Library, Scarborough Civic Centre Library, 2017
