Infusing Creative Practices in the Orchestra Classroom and Private Studio

This course is focused on expanding students’ musicianship in ways that honors tradition, values experimentation, and embraces creative and contemporary experiences. It will explore myriad practices, approaches, activities, and projects that teachers can infuse into the orchestra classroom and private studio environments, in order to cultivate, nurture, and unlock students’ musical creativities.

Topics of exploration include the following:

• Reframing how scales and arpeggios can be studied, experienced, and applied in a more creative manner. 
• Infusing an assortment of improvisation-based activities, in both structured and free-form manners, that broadens the scope of the practitioner’s musicianship and creativity.
• Expanding repertoire study experiences by way of recontextualization activities that cultivate unique and original musical ideas.  
• Exploring circle stringing activities that promote spontaneous musical conversation among collaborative musicians, focusing on a variety of concepts (rhythmic, textural, melodic/harmonic, etc.)  
• Surveying resources and repertoire that are creatively inclusive and expands the musical experiences students engage in.
• Experimenting with various music technologies (free and low-cost) that facilitate creative music making experiences.
• Discovering the vast terrain of creative musicianship from strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass) artists, both local and global, who are reframing what a versatile, well-rounded, and inclusive string musician can be.  
• Reading about and discussing creativity, creative practice, and its value for students.  

Chat session schedule (required):

Session 1: Wednesday, June 7, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST

Session 2: Wednesday, June 14, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST

Session 3: Wednesday, June 21, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST

Session 4: Wednesday, June 28, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST

Session 5: Wednesday, July 5, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST

Session 6: Wednesday, July 12, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST

Session 7: Wednesday, July 19, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST

Session 8: Wednesday, July 26, 6:00 – 7:30 PM CST

Instructional Materials:

• All course content materials will be provided by the instructor.
• Eastman Strings and Quinlan & Fabish Music Company will provide Eastman Series+ instruments for registrants to use for the duration of the course. More details to follow. 
• A laptop and mobile device (strongly encouraged) with Zoom and video recording capabilities is required.
• Headphones
• Small Amplifier
• Instrument Cable
  • A limited number of instrument cables are available for rent. Cost is $10 and includes shipping. Details are forthcoming. 
• Loop Pedal
  • A limited number of loop pedals are available for rent. Cost is $30 and includes shipping. Details are forthcoming. 
• Audio Interface
  • A limited number of audio interfaces are available for rent. Cost is $30 and includes shipping. Details are forthcoming. 

*Students enrolled in the MMEd degree program at VanderCook may register for this course at the 500-level through the student portal. Please contact Dean Sinclair at [email protected] if academic advising is needed.