Toni Kitanovski surrounded by participants in the Formation Composition Musiques Actuelles . On the morning of December 3, the doors of the Kinarmonik center open to a new adventure. In the main room, 25 Congolese musicians take their places, the excitement is palpable. They are there for a unique training course: "Composition Musiques Actuelles" . For six days, they will explore the facets of musical creation, guided by a renowned mentor: Toni Kitanovski . It is not just a technical training that begins, but a dive into the rich and complex universe of composition, an opportunity to grow and dream bigger. A friendship, a project and a shared vision... If Toni Kitanovski, musician, composer and professor at the Goce Delchev University in Northern Macedonia, is in Kinshasa, it's above all thanks to his friendship with Éric Malu Malu, director of the Kinarmonik music center and guitarist with the famous group Jupiter & Okwess. The two musicians met during an international tour, and an artistic complicity was immediately forged. Since then, they have collaborated on a variety of projects. Toni took part in Yotsi's first album, Maisha, produced by the Kinarmonik Production label. He brought his touch as Featuring on the tire “Upendo” and also mixed several tracks, revealing the potential of the emerging band from Kinshasa. With this new line-up, their collaboration takes on a new dimension: passing on their knowledge to the younger generation of Congolese musicians. A crescendo of progression! The first day of training begins slowly, but with ambition. Toni invites participants to explore the different musical forms , structures that underlie the various genres. Whether it is jazz, classical music, contemporary music or traditional Congolese sounds, each form tells a story and invites you to think about how to structure your ideas. The next day, it's time for counterpoint : the art of making several melodic lines interact. Toni insists on the rigor necessary for this exercise and encourages the musicians to listen to their creations through a new prism. The third day is dedicated to harmony , the central pillar that gives depth and emotion to music. Participants discover how to play with chords and their progressions to arouse varied sensations. Then they tackle the arrangement : how to dress a composition, choose the instruments, structure the different parts to give it its full potential. Finally, on the fifth day, Toni introduces the participants to computer-assisted music (CAM) . Some are novices, others have already tried a few experiments. But under Toni's watchful eye, everyone learns to master these modern tools to complete their creative process. Découverte de la MAO Then comes the sixth day , the culmination. All the points discussed during the week are put into practice in a collective case study . This teamwork is a challenge: to imagine, compose, arrange and produce a musical piece in a limited time. But the result is there, and it impresses: a vibrant piece that reflects the talent of each participant and the collective energy of the group. Between rigor and sharing Despite the intensity of the learning, the atmosphere is convivial! Each day ends in style with a jam session, where the musicians, inspired by the day's lessons, express themselves freely. Toni is there, guitar in hand, improvising with them, smiling, encouraging. These moments are magical: you can feel the diversity and richness of the talents present. And then there are the shared meals, those moments when music gives way to conversation and complicity. The participants laugh, talk about their backgrounds, their dreams. You get the feeling that something is being woven here, far beyond the notes: a community. A vision for the future For Toni Kitanovski, this week is just the beginning. Deeply moved by the talent of the young musicians he met, he expressed his wish to continue this collaboration. Eric Malu Malu & Toni Kitanovski He plans to produce video courses to enable Kinarmonik students to continue their learning between training sessions. He also dreams of opening doors to international music schools, so that Congolese musicians can enrich their art abroad and return with the tools to develop the local music scene. For his part, Éric Malu Malu sees this initiative as a decisive step towards the professionalization of music in the DRC. With the projects carried out by the center's 3 poles: Training / Creation / Production through the Kinarmonik Production label, Eric is working to structure the Congolese musical ecosystem so that local talent can not only exist, but also shine on a global scale, as the group Yotsi did with a first album recorded and a tour in Kinshasa and France.. A week that marks... When participants are asked what they remember from this training, the answers are unanimous: "I learned to structure my ideas, to think of my music as a whole." Linda “Toni showed us that with simple tools, you can do extraordinary things.” Leah “This experience gave me confidence in my abilities.” Thom For all of them, this week was much more than a series of classes. It was a moment of transformation, a meeting with professionals who believe in their potential and encourage them to aim high. Kinshasa is a hotbed of talent, and thanks to initiatives like this one, these talents finally find a framework to flourish. Congolese music, rich in its heritage, is writing a new page here, looking to the future and open to the world. Training funded by: Le Fond du Festival ROSKILDE En association avec Africa Express