Art of Improvisation

August 2 – 7, 2015
$100 – $475
Fredonia, New York.

Art of Improvisation is for musicians and vocalists experienced in any musical tradition, including classical, jazz, theater, rock, ethnic, avant-garde, etc.; and all instruments including acoustic, electric, ethnic drums and percussion, and even homemade. In an energetic, humorous and open-minded environment, discover how to move beyond the inhibitions of musical training while playing at the peak of your technical and expressive ability in your preferred musical style. We are fundamentally about YOUR music, privately and publicly, and supporting YOU in your musical explorations through sessions where you experience improvisational music. Prior experience in improvisation is not necessary, as this workshop is based on the concept that there are no “wrong notes.” This in-depth workshop is intensive, yet always fun and rewarding.

Through a supportive humanistic approach, our intention is to promote authentic music making through creating music “in the moment” and playing through the heart. Our simple yet profound structures help to guide you toward your own music. There will be experiences in playing with others in small and large group ensembles, as well as creating powerful solos. The AOI workshop includes free time for jamming, as well as impromptu sharings, providing participants with the opportunity to improvise in front of each other while their improvisations are professionally recorded.

The activities, structures and tools are designed to benefit you both personally and professionally. In addition to energizing your music composition, performance, and play, this creative body of work adapts beautifully to those of you working in the areas of health and wellness, music therapy, education, and community building. Free Improvisation opens doors of creativity for both performers and teachers. This workshop will inspire teachers to take Improvisation, one of the National Educational Standards, into their classrooms as well as provide practical  skills that can be adapted for many populations for music therapists. CEU credits are available for music therapists, dance therapists and Board Certified counselors.

The Music for People faculty join forces in this unique approach to music improvisation, using techniques drawn from around the world – from Bach to Boogie-Woogie and Brazilian to BeBop. The faculty will experientially demonstrate improvisation skills that will be explored throughout the week. It is experiential education in action, which makes for the most engaging trainings possible. Faculty member  Dr. David Rudge, violinist, conductor, SUNY faculty and instructor for the Improv Collective will be a providing his expertise in improvisation skills, improvising classical music and conducting improvisational music. Additionally faculty members, Lynn Miller, music therapist and author of SpiritArts, will offer unique sessions specifically designed for vocalists. Dr. Jim Oshinsky, author of Return to Child  and Mary Knysh, author of Innovative Drum Circles, will offer a Leading Lab which gives participants the opportunity to develop and practice group facilitation skills. Members from the Music for People Leadership training program will be leading in-depth explorations of  MFP improvisation skills.

Rent -a-Studio with Dr. Eric Miller. Rent-a-Studio is the time for your pet project, special jam or personal exploration.  Use this opportunity to record with others or go solo.  We’ll mic you up, give some verb and let you soar!  A Grand Piano will be available. CD is included in the fee, which benefits the MfP organization. $40./half hr.

Accommodations Located in beautiful Chautauqua County, Fredonia State University of NY is the westernmost campus in the SUNY system. The region, home to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, is less than an hour from Niagara Falls and is a vacation destination for many interested in arts, culture, and all-season recreation.
Directions: Click here for directions on the SUNY Fredonia site.
Arrival/Departure Information: Onsite check-in starts at 4 PM on Sunday and the first workshop session is on Sunday evening at 7 PM. The workshop ends around noon on Friday. CEU Credits Continuing Education credits available via Expressive Therapy Concepts for music therapists and counselors. Additional fee applies. Please coordinate in advance by e-mail to Eric@musicforpeople.org College CreditGraduate Credit Information Register for College Credit through the SUNY Webite http://www.fredonia.edu/music/improv.asp