Hi. My name is Luke Crookes. I am a bassoonist, workshop leader & presenter. I work with museums, galleries, heritage sites, cultural institutions, SEND schools, schools, community groups & hospitals.
My workshop practice begins by making space for participants to relax and connect with their body, voice, space, place & expression in an easy-going way through relaxed (often optional) invitation to notice things, with a non-judgemental atmosphere of inclusion. Some people might call it a warm up but it’s even more relaxed than that. I can look very relaxed about it but that’s intentional, I call this arriving. It is a way of beginning before the traditional modes of joining-in that music and performance can initiate and often include: conditions of expectation, modes of being in a group and unconscious judgments like the need to fit in or get it just right. All expression is encouraged and included, the more abstract the better.
If it is a creative improvising workshop we can respond to an idea, art or an object in sounds and movements and see what arises for us. Making space to see what happens, try any sounds and moves: a quality, a texture, a feeling, a shape or an idea. Notice how it feels, play with it, express and explore it.
In our busy day-to-day world full of thinking, going places, doing stuff, learning and knowing things, we can end up trying hard the get things right but missing out on first of all relaxing mind and body. It can be really good for us to take a moment to begin in a different way, release and connect. I call it Tuning In.
Training
Undergraduate at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama 1994-1998. Guildhall leadership course 2002-2004. Guildhall Masters in orchestral playing 2004-2006.
As well as orchestral playing, I’ve been a member of the North Sea radio Orchestra for 15 years. North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra.
FEEDBACK
“it’s the depth of thinking that goes into a moment, of true student centred learning, that can then appear to be so easy when it is facilitated so well (by you).” Collaborative workshop artist
“A very inspiring project that led to real creative freedom and an end result that was entirely the students.” Teacher, Candlebird Creative Composition Workshop, 2015.
Tuning In 