Experimental composition and processes

We Are Children (We Make Sound) is a collective of composer-performers which emerged in 2011 from composition classes at London’s ICMP. The group exists as a free spirit, with an ever evolving and revolving membership, at times inactive, at times coming together again. It meets to try out compositions by members and to explore experimental composition and processes.

Burroughs was composed by Gavin Bryars for We Are Children (We Make Sound) in 2014 and premiered at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London in October that year. The original project was as a collaboration devised by Richard Strange, and funded by PRS, Arts Council England, and ICMP. The group subsequently recorded the piece, and sessions took place over an extended time between 2015 and 2018, before the 2019 Covid pandemic paused all activities.

For the album launch performance at St Michael and All Angels in Chiswick on 6th June 2026, We Are Children (We Make Sound) will be joined by guests: James Woodrow (electric guitar), Bradley Grant (clarinet and saxes), Guy Passey (clarinet and saxes) and Yuri Bryars (bass). Gavin Bryars will also join us on this evening.