What is Creative Music Making?

Creative Music Making is an interactive workshop in which musicians and music teachers of any age, student or professional, performing on any instrument will have the opportunity to deepen musicianship and expand individual expression through the creation of spontaneous, free-form music without the constraints of thinking about technique or watching printed music. All of the music created will be recorded live and then discussed in a non-judgmental group round-table. Bill Cahn, a member of the world-renowned chamber ensemble, Nexus, will guide the participants through the four simple steps of Creative Music Making.

Time: TBA

EQUIPMENT NEEDED- audio cassette (or DAT, CD, MD) recorder, mic(s), amp, speaker(s), marimba(s), vibraphone, 5 pairs of marimba mallets

A participatory workshop on the basic elements of West African (primarily from Ghana) drumming. Participants will learn how to hear and perform the sophisticated drum ensemble music for which the African continent is renowned.

• rhythmic cycles
• the concept of the "hidden beat"
• instruments - types and construction
• ensemble conversation within the musical form
• compositional forms and constructions

  Time: 90 minutes

  Requirements: 12 arm-less chairs, (possibly bongos, congas, tomtoms, & shakeres)

A lecture/demonstration on early phonograph recordings of xylophone soloists in the years from 1877 to 1930.

• the history of the xylophone
• the history of the phonograph industry
• acoustic recording techniques
• backgrounds of the early recording xylophonists
• recorded examples of artists and styles

  Time: 90 minutes

  Requirements: audio-cassette tape recorder (with amp & speakers), xylophone

A lecture/demonstration on approaches and techniques applied to performance on standard orchestral small percussion instruments:

• cymbals
• triangle
• tambourine
• wood block
• tam tam/gong

Included in the presentation are taped examples from the standard symphonic repertoire with simultaneous live performance.

Time: 90 minutes

Requirements: audio-cassette tape recorder (+ amp & speakers), 3 gooseneck cymbal stands), 6 music stands

An interactive discussion/demonstration on cymbals.

Topics include:

• what to listen for in cymbals
• what is the difference between bright and dark cymbals
• what is the difference between "French" and "German" cymbal sounds
• cymbal techniques - suspended, crash, and more

  Time: 60 minutes
  

  Requirements: 3 gooseneck cymbal stands, cymbal tray-stand, various available cymbals

An interactive round-table discussion on self-awareness and self-evaluation in relation to pursuing goals in music, business, school, and life. Topics include:

• setting short and long term goals
• thinking about values and applying them
• analyzing strengths and weaknesses and how to take advantage of them
• thinking about resources and how to get help in achieving goals

  Time: 90 minutes

  Requirements: chairs for all participants

An interactive discussion on various aspects of the music business of interest to those who want to pursue careers in music.

Topics may include:

• advocacy for music - developing communication skills
• artist/management contracts
• auditions for symphony orchestras
• career planning
• copyrights
• ensembles - forming and operating them
• membership in unions
• music publishing and contracts
• music-related careers
• performing rights organizations
• preparing budgets/financial planning
• recordings - planning, production, and marketing
• self evaluation
• self management
• symphony orchestras
• where to get information

  Time: 90 minutes

  Requirements: chairs for all participants

A lecture/demonstration aimed at musicians who are already performing on acoustic instruments and who want to have a closer look at the possibilities for musical expression offered by the MIDI revolution. Topics may include:

• COMPUTER INSTRUMENT ENVIRONMENTS - Personal Computers, Dedicated Components, What Electronic MIDI Instruments Can Do, Limitations of Electronic MIDI Instruments
• HELPFUL CONCEPTS - Systems and Components, Interfacing, Internal Operating Systems, Value
• COMPONENTS - Sound Generators, Controllers, Processors, Mixers/Amplifiers, Speakers, Cables
• MIDI BASICS - Master/Slave, MIDI Connections, MIDI Commands, MIDI Channels, MIDI Modes
• LIVE PERFORMANCE - Phase 1 : Preparation, Phase 2 : Performance

  Time: 90 minutes

  Requirements: amp, mixer, & speakers; AC power cord & connection; AC surge-protector; 2 keyboard stands

go to Bill's Residency Info Page--->

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