CalArts Courses

(Semester 1, September-December 2007)

WRITING FOR HARP - through experience, teaching composers about writing for the harp with lots of hands-on interaction reading snippets of work with final project being a full piece for harp solo or ensemble.  Explorations of all compositions for harp including orchestral repertoire, solo and chamber works.  Requires weekly composing.

FORUM FOR MUSICAL ARTS a regular gathering for students in the Musical Arts Program where presentations of creative work and related co-critique between students and faculty alike will take place. 

ADVANCED IMPROVISATION ENSEMBLE - a small ensemble of advanced improvisers who also work outside the Institute on educational presentations through the Community Arts Partnership networks throughout the Los Angeles area.  Culminates in a final concert presentation.

IMPROVISATION ENSEMBLE - a group of beginning improvisers learning the art through the medium of game-playing and intensive listening exercises.  Culminates in a final concert. 

RADICAL MUSIC PEDAGOGY - explores historical music pedagogy models and moves forward into the present time of co-learning and co-teaching.  Field work required and papers required.  Hands-on teaching is part of the curriculum.

INTERIM:  JANUARY 16-26, 2007  

SYMBOLIC SYSTEMS: MUSIC NOTATION AND ASTROLOGY - examines the relationships between the two symbolic languages - including sacred geometry, the golden mean, harmonics in the natal chart and in music, mythology and the symbolism of music, person-oriented astrology, mathematics and geometric divisions of the galaxy.  Includes synthesis exercises with both astrological charts as well as musical scores.

SONGWRITING - a forum in which songwriters can realize their work with a large ensemble of players, with co-critique and performance.

(Semester 2, Jan-May 2007):

MUSIC IMPROVISATION OUT OF THIS WORLD   Course alternates between reading/discussions and improvising together every other week.  Reader includes works from anarchist Jacques Attali, to theological texts, world music texts, physics and the notion of self-organizing forms, the aesthetics of suddenness (Bohrer), and perception of time and hearing.  

FORUM FOR MUSICAL ARTS a regular gathering for students in the Musical Arts Program where presentations of creative work and related co-critique between students and faculty alike will take place. 

ADVANCED IMPROVISATION ENSEMBLE - a small ensemble of advanced improvisers who also work outside the Institute on educational presentations through the Community Arts Partnership networks throughout the Los Angeles area.  Culminates in a final concert presentation.

IMPROVISATION ENSEMBLE - a group of beginning improvisers learning the art through the medium of game-playing and intensive listening exercises.  Culminates in a final concert. 


 email            susie@calarts.edu