News

For this Impro of the Month, we invite you once again to discover the incredible musician Ben Bennett (Stainless steel sheets, bow, polystyrene panel) alongside our performer Jean-François Laporte (Bol,Tu-yo, Free air).

As our season comes to a close, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year so memorable. To our partners, cultural institutions, and loyal audience—your presence and support continue to inspire and uplift us.

Our Artistic Director, Jean-François Laporte, recently travelled to Lyon to work with our collaborator Max Bruckert on the development of the digital control system for our prototype instrument, part of our new Totem Orchestra project.

This month's video highlights the superb work for Babel Table : Bouffée. It was composed by the talented composer Sophie Delafontaine.

On June 6, our artistic director Jean-François Laporte will take part in a fully improvised concert in Germany, sharing the stage with Monatswerk 6, Claudius Lazzeroni, Matthias Schothfeldt, and Jakob Jentgens.

For the Improv of the month, we invite you to discover the incredible musician Xavier Charles (clarinet), alongside our performer Jean-François Laporte (Tu-yo, Bol, Sirène solo).

We'd like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who attended the three concerts and mediation workshops we were lucky enough to present from April 8 to 15, 2025. Your presence, your smiles and your attentiveness made each moment even more special.

This month's video highlights the magnificent work Un jour de vent, face au ciel que j'aime, composed by the talented Clovis Archambault, a promising up-and-coming artist.

After years of dreaming up this collaboration, Jean-François Laporte and Jeffrey Stonehouse have finally made it a reality. The Paramirabo collective and the Babel Table (an instrument invented by Productions Totem Contemporain) merge their sound worlds to give life to a unique concert, blending contemporary music and sonic innovation.

This month's video presents talented composer Xavier Ménard's wonderful work for Babel Table : Insufflations. 

As part of CAM en tournée, we're pleased to invite you to three Totem Électrique - Focus Compositrices concerts featuring works by talented female composers at three different Maisons de la culture.

For this month's Impro, we invite you to discover the incredible musician Michel Doneda (saxophone), alongside our performer Jean-François Laporte (Babel Table).

Following our double program concert on February 23, we would once again like to congratulate the winners of the second Totem Electroacoustic contest, and thank our partners Le Vivier and Akousma for making the evening possible :

This month's video features Andrea Laudante's captivating work for Babel Table : 13th Perception of Prakṛti. Andrea is the winner of the first edition of the Electroacoustic totem contest.

We would like to thank all those who came to experience the installation during the festival, as well as Le Vivier for welcoming us to St-Hilda's church and allowing us to bring the installation to life in a unique venue with a magical sound resonance! It was a real opportunity to present this work for the first time in Montreal.

As part of Semaine du neuf, Le Vivier and PTC invite you to discover Spirituel, presented for the first time in Montreal, from noon to 6pm from March 3 to March 15.

For this month's video, we invite you to discover talented musician Benjamin Bennet (percussion and wind instruments), alongside our performer Jean-François Laporte (Tu-Yo inversé).

For Nuit Blanche, Le Vivier and PTC invite you tonight at 7pm to discover VIBRATIONS ÉPHÉMÈRES, presented for the first time in Montreal.

On February 23, we're delighted to invite you to an exceptional evening celebrating electroacoustic music with a double program. Opening the evening, the Totem Électrique XVIII concert will feature a series of performative works by Pia Baltazard, Max Bruckert, Pierre Michaud, Clovis Archambault and Pierre-Luc Senécal.

Presented during Semaine du Neuf, Le Vivier and PTC invite you to discover Spirituel, presented for the first time in Montreal.

This month's video features a recording of the live performance of the Duo Rust's :  Maelström. The piece was composed for siren solo and live digital audio processing. 

Starting Thursday, February 6, discover and hear the 8 finalists of the second edition of the contest and take part by voting for the Public Award! This is a great opportunity to actively engage with your musical community.

We are excited to share with you this selection carefully curated by our jury. The finalist works will be presented on an octophonic sound system during the grand finale of the competition, which will take place on February 23.

Stay tuned and support your favorites! 

For more information about the concert

For this month's video, we invite you to discover talented musician Tom Jacques (anches libérées), alongside our performer Jean-François Laporte (Siren Organ). PTC and Tour de Bras wish you a wonderful musical experience!

As we enter 2025, les Productions Totem Contemporain would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the creative people, performers and collaborators who made 2024 such an unforgettable year.

For this month's improvisation, we invite you to discover talented musician Lionel Marchetti (Revox 77), alongside our performer Jean-François Laporte (Table de Babel). PTC and Tour de Bras wish you a wonderful musical experience!

For this month's video, we invite you to discover talented musician Katherine Young (bassoon), alongside our performer Jean-François Laporte (Table de Babel). PTC and Tour de Bras wish you a wonderful musical experience!

We were delighted to present the kinetic, sound and visual installation Spirituel at the Festival des Musiques de Création.

This month's video features composer Erin Gee's atmospheric and captivating work :  In Bloom. The piece was composed for the Bol and voice. 

For this month's video, we invite you to discover talented musician Philippe Lauzier (clarinet), alongside our performer Jean-François Laporte (bol). PTC and Tour de Bras wish you a delightful musical experience!

Our artistic director Jean-François Laporte joins video artist Annie St-Jean and musicians Éric Normand and Philippe Lauzier for this memorable concert at the FMC.

This month's video features Martin Parker's hard-hitting composition : Not Nothing. The piece was composed for the Babel Table. 

Pour cette première vidéo, nous vous invitons à découvrir le talentueux musicien Pierre-Yves Martel (harmonium et objets), aux côtés de notre interprète Jean-François Laporte (Table de Babel). PTC et Tour de Bras vous souhaitent une belle expérience musicale!

We are delighted to announce our participation in a research project with the team at SAT, which will run from September 2024 to March 2025. During this period, the team at sat will develop a software toolbox specially designed to control our instruments, while at the same time delving deeper into the electronics we use to manipulate them, thus enriching our instrumentarium.

On October 15, our performer Jean-François Laporte will join Totem instruments (Table de Babel and Orgue de Sirènes) in composer Pierre-Luc Senécal's imposing work VOX COLOSSUS. He will share the stage with the growler choir, accompanied by a church organ, a percussion ensemble and the Temps fort classical choir (dir. Pascal Germain-Berardi). An event not to be missed!

The video of the month features one of the classics from the repertoire of our Totem Électrique series : Melting by the Italian composer Carlo Barbagallo. We are thrilled to share with you this work, which was written for the Babel Table and is part of an incredible triptych of musical works with water as the central theme.

Our first date on the CAM tour was extraordinary. We had the privilege of sharing a musical moment with over 75 curious young people, while engaging in an enriching dialogue about our creative approach.

From September 3 to 4, composer and musician Corie Rose Soumah will be at Espace Totem as part of the Totem - Paramirabo project. She will compose an original work for this collaborative project.

From September 24 to 27, composer and musician Katherine Young will be at Espace Totem as part of the Totem - Paramirabo project. She will compose an original work for this collaborative project.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all our partners, institutions and valued audiences who attended our concerts this season.

This month's video features composer Julie Delisle's enigmatic work for Babel Table : Monolithe.

Our performer and artistic director Jean-François Laporte is currently on tour in Europe! He will be presenting works from the PTC repertoire at concerts and giving workshops on his instruments!

The video of the month features one of the classics from the repertoire of our Totem Électrique series : Drowning by the Italian composer Carlo Barbagallo.

Nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncer que la nouvelle installation cinétique, sonore et visuelle de notre directeur artistique Jean-François Laporte sera présentée en primeur au 40 ans du festival FIMAV (Festival international de musique actuelle de Victoriaville) à Victoriaville la semaine prochaine du 13 au 19 mai 2024.

We're delighted to announce that the new kinetic, sound and visual installation by our artistic director Jean-François Laporte will be premiered at the 40th anniversary of the FIMAV festival (Festival international de musique actuelle de Victoriaville) in Victoriaville from May 13 to 19, 2024.

This month's video features composer Sara Magnan's captivating composition for Babel Table : La maison de Diev.

We're delighted to announce that the Babel Table has won second place in this unique and much sought-after competition!

Our artistic director, Jean-François Laporte and our instrument the Babel Table, are taking part alongside 10 international finalists in this remarkable event on March 9 and 10.

This month's video features composer Simon Chioini's remarkable composition for Babel Table : Aquifère 1.

We are pleased to inform you that our instrument, the Babel Table, has been selected for the Guthman Invented Instruments Competition.

It was with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of our friend, composer, musician, filmmaker and conceptual artist Phill Niblock.

PTC would like to express its sincere gratitude to all the artists, composers and performers who have generously collaborated with us over the past year. These exceptional projects have come to life thanks to your immense talent and boundless creativity. 

Our artistic director and interpreter Jean-François Laporte is back from his European tour, and we're pleased to share with you some photos of the concerts and workshops he had the chance to present !

This month's video features composer Diego Bermudez Chamberland's remarkable creation for Siren Organ : Suelo Rojo.

This month's video highlights the duo RUST (Jean-François Laporte and Benjamin Thigpen) impressive work for Horn solo : White Squall.

Our performer and artistic director Jean-François Laporte is currently on tour in Europe, from November 12 to December 8, 2023, for several concerts! He'll be presenting works from the Totem Électrique repertoire, joining sound artist Benjamin Thigpen for his RUST duo, and giving workshops on his instruments!

For Totem's 20th anniversary, we're presenting in co-production with Groupe Le Vivier two exclusive Totem Électrique concerts showcasing talented composers on our unique instruments!

On February 23, we're delighted to invite you to an exceptional evening celebrating electroacoustic music with a double program. Opening the evening, the Totem Électrique XVIII concert will feature a series of performative works by Pia Baltazard, Max Bruckert, Pierre Michaud, Clovis Archambault and Pierre-Luc Senécal.

The video of the month is composer Myriam Boucher captivating creation for Siren Organ : Pulse.

We're delighted to announce the launch of the second edition of the Totem Électroacoustique contest.

The video of the month is "Rituel", a classic work from the Totem repertoire composed and performed by our artistic director Jean-François Laporte.

Following our first edition of the Totem Électroacoustique contest, we are delighted to present the album Totem Électroacoustique Contest Vol.1, released under the Montreal-based label Kohlenstoff.

This month's video features Zack Settel's fascinating creation for Pipe : Electric Air-Jam.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the release, on July 28, 2023, of the digital album : Totem Électroacoustique contest #1.

The video of the month is composer Gordon Williamson's captivating work for Babel Table : Vintage.

Our season ended on a high note with the recording of the spectacular work "Onze super (petits) totems" by composer Jean Derome.

Our artistic director and performer Jean-François Laporte is currently on tour in Europe and we are pleased to share some concert reports!

The video of the month is the mesmerizing creation for Bol by the talented composer Savannah Agger : Quicksand.

PTC will embark on a tour in Europe from May 1 to May 22, 2023 to play unique concerts and make artistic encounters.

The video of the month is the fascinating creation of composer Émilie Girard-Charest for Babel Table : Cigales.

The video of the month is composer Jesper Nordin's captivating creation for Bol and tape : Close Encounter.

For the 20th anniversary of Totem we presented in February and early March a series of concerts as well as an installation during the Montreal/New Music Festival (MNM). We had some magical moments and here is a look back at our various events!

This sound installation seek to present the multiple manifestations of air through processes of sound vibration.

First of all, we would like to thank everyone who followed and participated in the contest. This first edition was a great challenge for the whole team and we are happy to have seen so much enthusiasm from both the jury and the participants!

The video of the month is Stéphane Roy's fascinating work for Babel Table and tape : Bestiaire à hauteur d'oreille.

We are pleased to announce that we have now reached the final phase of the contest.

To mark the 20th anniversary of PTC, our artistic director Jean-François Laporte has designed a new visual and sound installation: Les chants de l'inaudible.

The piece Exploratory - Siren Organ version by composer Phill Niblock will be presented in collaboration with the Groupe de recherche sur la médiatisation du son (GRMS) during the concert La Grande Nuit GRMS as part of the Montreal/New Music Festival (MNM).

The Totem-Trio ( Jean-François Laporte, Émilie Girard-Charest and Francis Leduc) joins 3 member of Ensemble Cairn to perform four works by composers chosen for the originality of their approach. 

The video of the month is the captivating and intriguing composition by Francesco Bianchi : Il Giardino dei Sentieri.

View here a photo archive for the 20 years of PTC!

We are now at the end of the bi-annual contest which ended on December 18th at midnight.

We are delighted to unveil the new Totem Digital section, a space where visuals will be at the forefront and where it will be possible to discover the world of Totem in a vast selection of unique videos.

The video of the month is the unique, mysterious and sublime work of Émilie Payeur: Les Chants de l'Amanite.

Nous tenons à remercier les gens présents à nos ateliers. C’était une occasion extraordinaire de présenter les instruments et cela fait chaud au cœur de voir un grand intérêt de la part des participants. 

Our artistic director and musician Jean-François Laporte is back from his UK tour and it was amazing!

Video of the month of November 2022: Enracinement by Monique Jean

Our performer and artist director Jean-François Laporte will be on tour again for two dates in England! He will present new works, but also workshops on his instruments!

The inside your ears concert was a wonderful album launch concert! We would like to thank our fabulous audience for their presence as well as our composers  and performers Phill Niblock and the Rust duo, made up of Jean-François Laporte and Benjamin Thigpen.

The video of the month is the mysterious and captivating work for Siren Organ by composer Sonia Paço-Rocchia : La porte vers les sirènes.

Le dimanche 9 octobre 2022, nous vous invitons à l'Espace Bleu du Wilder à19:00 pour vivre un concert immersif unique qui mettra de l'avant deux Tu-Yo, une sirène solo spécialement conçue pour ce concert et l'Orgue de sirènes!

We invite you to attend the Natch concert on Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Espace orange du Wilder in co-production with Groupe Le Vivier, Dremeka and Innovations en concert.

It is with joy and excitement that we announce the release,  Sunday, October 9, 2022, of the album Le chant des machines by the duo Rust consisting of Jean-François Laporte and Benjamin Thigpen.

On September 26, as part of the To Listen To festival in Turin (IT), our performer Jean-François Laporte will present five works including three new creations.

The video of the month is the atmospheric work for Babel Table by composer Diego Bermudez Chamberland: Manic.

The Totem électrique XV concert was a memorable musical evening!

On August 28 2022, we invite you to the Espace bleu of the Wilder to experience new amazing works by talented composers: Myriam Boucher, Adam Basanta, Émilie Payeur, Carlo Barbagallo, Diego Bermudez Chamberland.

The video of the month is the immersive and hard-hitting piece by composer Pierre-Luc Lecours: Forêt sombre.

From 10 to 14 August 2022 and from 21 to 28 August 2022, PTC will be filming at the Wilder Blue Space.

PTC will host at the end of July and in August, at the Totem space, four talented artists.

The video of the month is the wonderful work of composer Line Katcho: Corps de Brume.

We are currently working on a Siren Organ version of Exploratory a recent work (2019) by artist  Phill Niblock that will be presented in October! It's going to be a busy summer of sound recording and music!

On August 28, the Wilder welcomes us back to the Blue space to present new works by talented composers: Myriam Boucher, Adam Basanta, Pauline Patie, Carlo Barbagallo and Diego Bermudez Chamberland.

Our three performers Émilie Girard-Charest, Francis Leduc and Jean-François Laporte lived memorable musical moments at the Marbrerie in Montreuil and at the Salle Barrault at the Orléans theater.

The video of the month presents the extraordinary theatrical work all in music of the composer Geneviève Ackerman: Quelques aveux arrachés à la matières.

Our artistic director and performer Jean-François Laporte will present five works from the PTC repertoire including two new creations in a Totem Électrique concert at Phipps Hall at the University of Huddersfield.

Our three performers Émilie Girard-Charest, Francis Leduc and Jean-François Laporte will once again fly to Europe to play two concerts with our collaborators from the Ensemble Cairn.

This month's video features the extraordinary piece by composer Pierre Alexandre Tremblay: Mono no aware. 

We are currently filling the PTC sound bank with new sound material for the next edition of the contest! Here is our artistic director at work on the Siren Organ!

Eight new works have been commissioned for the next edition of Totem Électrique! The composers have begun their work on the new compositions that will be presented on August 28, 2022.

This month's video features the amazing piece At the Discretion of River by composer Samuel Béland.

The Biennale des Musiques Exploratoires was an extraordinary experience for our three performers Jean-François Laporte, Emilie Girard-Charest and Francis Leduc. 

PTC is collaborating with the percussion ensemble in their concert series DANS LES OREILLES DE.

Totem-Cairn is an international co-production between Ensemble Cairn (FR) and Productions Totem Contemporain. The project will materialize in four commissions of works offered to composers Émilie Girard-Charest (CA), Jesper Nordin (SE), Michael Edwards (UK) and Samuel Sighicelli (FR).  

This month's video features the incredible work of composer Sylvain Pohu. 

We are pleased to present the video of the month The Navigator, a facinating work by the talented composer Joseph Browne.

We are pleased to present the month's video featuring Vertiges, a work by the talented composer Maxime Corbeil-Perron.

The year 2022 is already underway and we have several projects to share with you.

The Totem Electroacoustic Contest has been officially launched and it is now possible to register and participate.

We are excited to share with you the audiovisual recording of the work for Siren Organ by composer Félix-Antoine Morin: Plateforme.

We are very pleased to share with you the audiovisual recording of the work for Table de Babel by composer Jean-François Blouin: Vent Solaire.

We are excited to present the fascinating composition for Siren Organ by composer Nicolas Bernier: Micro_Mouvement.

Productions Totem contemporain and Le Vivier invite you on November 21st to the Totem Électrique XIV concert, which will take place in person at 7 pm at the Espace Bleu of the Wilder building in Montreal.

From November 15 to 21, 2021, PTC will continue the audiovisual (high-quality) recording of its Totem Électrique repertoire.

On October 22nd, PTC will fly to Germany for a five-concert tour.

We are excited to unveil our website, the result of several months of work.

Two composers recently completed their residencies with PTC: Benjamin Thigpen and Gordon Williamson.

PTC is proud to announce that the work in the Totem space is completed.

Bonjour à tous! La période estivale est déjà bien amorcée et nous en profitons pour vous transmettre les dernières nouvelles de Productions Totem contemporain.

PTC is pleased to announce that a second Babel Table is in production.

We would like to highlight the Opus Prize ''Creation of the Year'' awarded to Jean Derome for his piece Onze super (petits) totems.

Totem Contemporain's news for summer 2019.

At Totem’s, fall begins with an artistic season rich with projects and variety. Last September, the grand spectacle Rythmopolis shook Montreal’s Place des Arts with three nights of daring contemporary music.

Big news this fall, Productions Totem Contemporain publishes our first newsletter!