Fiddling Ensembles

Richard Greene will be in charge of the Fiddling Ensembles for 2009.

More details to be announced later.

Jazz String Orchestras

Martin Norgaard and Robert Gardner lead these groups using Norgaard's  "Jazz Fiddle Wizard Jr." Each ensemble will perform jazz string orchestra pieces with improvised solos at the final concert.

Level 1:

• No previous experience or theory background required.

• Improvisation using one scale in a variety of grooves.

• No theory background required

• Have fun with rhythms, registers and slides

• Learn jazz phrasing, rhythms and special listening skills needed to tune jazz harmonies.

Level 2:

• For people who have taken Level 1 previously, or who have a little theory background or jazz experience.

• Improvisation using several scales in a variety of grooves.

• Explore creative playing in the jazz tradition in the framework provided by the underlying chords. 

• The ensemble will play jazz orchestra pieces that require special attention to rhythm and phrasing in jazz

Level 3:

• For more experienced jazz players

• Improvisation on jazz standards.

• A full sequence for the development of chordal jazz improvisation is followed including the study of common chord structures such as cadences and turnarounds.

• The ensemble will play challenging jazz orchestra pieces that require special attention to rhythm and phrasing in jazz styles such as swing, bebop and latin.

Jazz Techniques:

• This class will cover jazz improvisational concepts in support of level 2 & 3 Jazz Ensembles.

• Analyze famous jazz solos

• Learn how to borrow licks from the jazz greats and incorporate those creatively into your own playing.

World Music Ensembles

Julie Lyonn Lieberman will lead these daily sessions in music from all over the Planet.

Planet Strings: Repertoire

• Learn one tune each day in a different style,

• Learn rhythmic/harmonic accompaniments and guidelines for improvisation appropriate to each genre.

• Styles will include Eastern European, African, Latin, Scandinavian, and Cape Breton. 

Planet Strings Techniques:

• Rhythmic and Technical Skills for World Styles

• Learn a new left- and right-hand skill each day

• Learn a new mode (scale) each day, and a new meter

• Learn practice techniques designed to enable you to incorporate these skills quickly and efficiently.

Rock String Orchestras

Matt Turner and Steven Vance will lead the rock ensembles.

Rock Music Ensemble Level 1 

• Perform beginning/intermediate level rock arrangements,

• learn tunes by ear and create rock riffs and bass lines. 

• Improvise successfully in various styles including hard rock, heavy metal, soul and pop using modes and pentatonic scales.

• Hands on experimentation with electric instruments.

Rock Music Ensemble Level 2/Level 3 

• Perform intermediate/advanced rock arrangements

• Learn tunes by ear

• Get experience with electric instruments

• Develop a rock guitar sound using your acoustic instrument.

• Learn to use half-finger technique to achieve a rock distortion sound as well as sliding vibrato, pitch bending, and other extended techniques.

• Learn to improvise in various styles of rock including heavy metal, funk, blues-rock, soul, and pop. 

Electronic Instrument Ensemble 

• Perform arrangements and improvise using electric string instruments.

• Experiment with effects pedals to create soundscapes. 

• Improvise in different styles of music including avant-garde, rock, jazz, taqasim and 20th century classical.