21 Sounds

21 Sounds transforms memories into sound. In workshops, young people with little or no musical experience develop their own musical pieces in which they give voice to their personal memories and feelings.

Through warm-ups, the young people are first introduced to the project and prepared for a short concert with the Zafraan Ensemble. The opening concert introduces the young people to new sonic worlds. They are first exposed to various compositional approaches in works of contemporary music and learn, for example, about unconventional playing techniques, soundscapes, repeated patterns, theatrical elements, and different ways of expressing emotion, rhythm, and drama.

Following this, the young people work in small groups, accompanied by musicians from the ensemble, to develop their own musical pieces. In the second workshop session, the search for the “21 sounds” begins. The young people collect very personal sounds: sounds linked to their memories, sounds that trigger something within them, sounds they enjoy listening to. Each young person tries to recall or find five to seven sounds.

Instruments, materials, and everyday objects are used—new sound sources are discovered. The goal is to abstract the sounds, perceive their unique qualities, and understand their effect. In a playful phase, the young people exchange selected sounds with one another to inspire each other. In this way, composing becomes a social process: sounds are combined, rearranged, and woven together into collaborative compositions. This often results in surprising sound combinations and creative connections—the so-called “21 Sounds” compositions.

At the final concert on June 23, 2026, at the Theater im Delphi, all groups will present their works together with the Zafraan Ensemble, which will also perform the opening concert once again. After the creative process, the young people will hear the music with fresh ears and experience how their own sound world has changed and expanded.

The 21 Sounds project is made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further information:
zafraanensemble.com

Date

June 23, 2026
Theater im Delphi, Berlin