Experience with Groeispurt: Wietse Voermans - Genius Loci

“Genius Loci” is the new project by saxophonist and composer Wietse Voermans. During the summer of 2023, Wietse was given the opportunity by Brebl to spend a week in seclusion with drummer and composer Ruud Voesten in Brebl’s new, temporary building to capture the spirit of this location and its people in new material. Together with Voesten, he created a performance in just one week, combining composed material and improvisation inspired by this unique place. At the end of the week, Voermans and Voesten gave a concert at the venue, open to the public. This concert was also recorded and will be released. In this way, they captured this temporary situation in music, ensuring it can be heard forever. This project was made possible with financial support from De Groeispurt the SENA Music Production Fund. Wietse takes us through the process and development of this project.

“The project has been a special experience for us. We created a performance that we could never have imagined beforehand. We used everything the space had to offer.”

By using photographs and field recordings, the surroundings, sounds, the space itself, its history, and everyday events served as inspiration. This resulted in a 40-minute performance that took the audience on a journey “as if you were going on a trip or a journey.” The project made a significant contribution to Wietse’s development. This was the first time he had created a performance in just one week. Working with Ruud as an artist-in-residence allowed them to engage with each other openly and constructively. As a result, Wietse delved deeper into duet performance: how to keep things exciting and interesting as a duo, and how to find the balance between written material and improvisation. In addition to this deepening of his craft, Wietse was also able to broaden his horizons as an artist. By looking at a space differently, using photography, listening to every moment, and capturing interesting moments.

Groeispurt Experience

"I was always treated kindly, and the application process was clear. It did take a little longer than expected to receive the results, which made our schedule a bit tight. But in the end, everything worked out and was handled properly. We’re grateful for the opportunity to undertake this project, and we see it as the start of a new adventure."

About Groeispurt

Groeispurt is a Nijmegen grant program for young creators, artists, and performers. The program encourages new ideas and initiatives and gives young talent an extra boost, without unnecessary restrictions or obligations. It is a flexible and fast way to provide support, encouraging new developments and helping art and culture in Nijmegen continue to flourish.