Easing into composition: Three ways to write your first piece

Easing into composition: Three ways to write your first piece

Date: 
Sun, 2018-02-18 11:00 to 14:00
Ticket price: 
$60
Location: 

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
University of Maryland College Park
8270 Alumni Dr
College Park, MD 20742

Description: 

Kris Bergstrom has written groundbreaking pieces like "Gengakki", "Jack Bazaar", and "Radiddlepa" but considers himself an "uncertain composer".  In this 2-hour lecture/demonstration, Bergstrom guides participants through the techniques that have helped him overcome his fears of composition and choreography to find compelling creations, with hands-on composition exercises to reveal practical details.

 

Set List: 

welcome
- introductions: name, favorite thing you've made
- initial questions
-- favorite and least-favorite taiko pieces (or moments)
-- what does the act of "composition" look like?

approach 1: "literal composition"
- exercise: converting "Mark" into music

approach 2: "exploration"
- tone exercise: edge vs center
- rhythm exercise: the joy of expectation

approach 3: "deconstruction"
- exercise: "trap"-style rhythm, borrowing the bass part

Q/A

clean and close

Wrap up: 

Inspired ideas from the participants, any number of which could be whole song sections.
Insightful questions.
What would be a good 1-minute ender to a composition workshop?  

Audience size: 
11
Performers: