Draw a Note is a concept for collective composing, developed in collaboration with ensemble EMN with support from a Musikfonds grant in late 2021.

The concept takes its starting point from the practice of drawing lots. Before each rehearsal or performance, performers and audience members write down short musical ideas—phrases, rhythms, tonal frameworks, or playing instructions, whether precise or freely associative. Audience members contribute an instruction in exchange for admission.

The new instructions are mixed with a randomly selected set from the ensemble’s archive, collected during previous performances. The notes are then folded, mixed, and drawn from a hat, with each player drawing the same number of notes. The number of notes drawn roughly determines the length of the performance.