MUSIC WORKSHOPS//

 

4-Day Workshops teach a series of musical "games" that create improvised group compositions.  For example, 5 musicians create a background playing long notes in the key of F major and 4 play high, staccato notes while a soloist improvises melodies over it all.  Each game has a musical queue that signals the beginning and end.  The different games can be cycled through on the fly creating a large-scale improvised composition; a spontaneous symphony of sorts.  The musicians can be spread out all over the canyon - along the bottom, up on the rim, and down other side-canyons and still interact with each other.  Echoes bounce around absolutely everywhere and are used to establish tempos and grooves.  The "sound" of the canyon and its unique acoustics become an integral part of the composition and ensemble.  

 

Visiting artists will often teach workshops and masterclasses based on their specialties for local school music programs and the public.  

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