Le Composition is an 'incubation chamber' for creativity with Gongs. Led by Mike Tamburo and Mitch Nur in the artistic community of Alsace, France. Featuring Harpists Nadia Birkenstock, and Ralf Kleeman, with Metal Artist/Musician Steve Hubback in concert.

Reserved for Gong Students who have attended A 9ways Gong Camp or a Gong Training with either Mike or Mitch.

Karen Stackpole the Gong Teacher, Presenter, and Recordist from San Francisco will also joining in this unique event in the French countryside.

The idea is to create something far outside the usual Gong Training where the adventure is to produce, and create soundscapes, stories of compositional Tonals with Gongs. To stir the pot we have Mitch Nur, Mike Tamburo, Karen Stackpole, Nadia Birkenstock, Ralf Kleeman, and Steve Hubback to get the storylines flowing. All enveloped by the countryside with Castles, Canals, Rich History on the German Swiss borders. A Time Machine for artistic endeavors!

Co-facilitated by Mitch Nur and Mike Tamburo, Big Metal offers an immersive exploration into the world of large metal instruments, with a focus on gongs 44” or larger. This course is designed for those wishing to deepen their understanding of the deep resonance and complex overtones that emerge from these massive instruments. Participants will engage directly with the sonic field of large metal, learning how to manipulate the vast array of overtones that emerge from the gong’s surface.

Through hands-on experience, participants will explore how the placement and movement of mallets across different parts of the gong affect its tonal qualities. From sharp, percussive strikes to soft, sustained resonance, participants will experiment with different mallets, exploring how materials and techniques produce unique timbres that reveal the full spectrum of sonic possibilities.

Participants will also explore sustain, saturation, and vibrations from Big Metal, learning how to control the length of sound and its density. By working with these large instruments, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how sustain interacts with resonance and how saturation can transform the impact of a tone, allowing them to create layers of sound that evolve over time. The dynamic range of these instruments will be explored, from soft, meditative vibrations to powerful, expansive sounds, as participants learn how to control the amplitude and resonance of each strike.

with the indigenous Flatbell of the Bonpo, Dongba, and Spirit Mediums of Tibet

Shangs are provided for student use - limited to 9 Students

This is the only program in the world offered on this instrument today by someone who has been researching it for over 3 decades and is regarded as an insider.

Residential Retreat for NEW STUDENTS with multiple instructors

The Bonpo Shang is one of the world's oldest ritual Sound Tools, and quite possibly the oldest metal sound tool, dating back to the pre-Imperial Period of the ancient kingdom of ZhangZhung.

Today's Yungdrung Bon tradition attribute the Shang to the founder of Bon, Tonpa Shenrab. The instrument existed at the time of Lord Shenrab (16,000BC according to some historians ), and may be considerably older according to sources in the Bon community. The instrument is found in other shamanic traditions in the Himalayan region of Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Yunnan, Tuva, Mongolia,and as far north as the Buriyat Republic.

Why is this important? According to Dr. Mitch's research, "the upturned flat bell may be the only authentic sound healing instrument. There are numerous texts in the monasteries attesting to this which include how it is to be made, how it is played, and by whom. Every antique Shang found in museums confirms this (very few Shangs available today are authentic-fakes) and ONLY "knowledge holders" should be wielding it." Precise instructions found in authentic ancient texts with just one purpose - to heal with sound. As Dr. Mitch states " no other instrument used in sound healing can make this claim."

Exploring Altered States Through Sound and Silence

Join Mitch Nur, Mike Tamburo, and Thomas Orr Anderson for an immersive in-person retreat at Savannah Beach in Lewes, Delaware, from August 22 to August 27. This unique retreat invites participants to explore altered states of consciousness through the profound interplay of sound and silence. This retreat is open to all levels and focuses on cultivating direct experiences that expand awareness and deepen our connection to sonic practices.

Through carefully curated sessions, participants will engage in hands-on explorations and practices that harness the transformative power of sound and silence. Whether through meditative listening, dynamic soundscapes, group exercises, or moments of stillness, this retreat encourages a deeper understanding of how sound can be used to guide awareness into uncharted territories of consciousness. With a focus on experience over theory, participants will journey into the subtle and profound spaces that sound and silence can create.

This retreat emphasizes a communal atmosphere, where attendees can connect, share, and grow alongside facilitators and peers. Guided by the expertise of Mitch Nur, Mike Tamburo, and Thomas Orr Anderson, participants will leave with a renewed sense of curiosity and insight into the mysteries of sound, silence, and their role in human experience.

Information will be posted soon - we are in the process of confirming all the teachers for this advanced program on everything Gong. This program has now been extended to 12 days and 'on site' lodging is very limited.

Registration Information, Click Here