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Futures of Orchestras?!(Sound Systems)

We know what orchestras are but would could they be? From the Sound Systems Website: “American orchestras face challenges relative to diversity, equity, relevance, sustainability. How do the embodied and cultural roles of performers and artists—enactors of aesthetic memories and futures—need to be reimagined and centered? What is the future of the orchestra?  Working in collaboration with future-oriented musician Alex Laing, the Center for Science and the Imagination hosted a two-day speculative futures workshop in April 2023, which served as the… Read More »Futures of Orchestras?!(Sound Systems)

Improvisation in Ensembles: Conduction

How might we support creativity in large ensembles? What if students could co-create music with a conductor without staff notation or written music altogether? Perhaps novel in K-12 settings, ensemble-based improvisation exists in diverse musical cultures. What might we learn from conduction, a sophisticated gestural system that Butch Morris developed to facilitate improvisation and creation in a large ensemble setting? I first experienced conduction years ago at NYC’s Knitting Factory. I was in one of the lower floor performance spaces… Read More »Improvisation in Ensembles: Conduction

Research: Liquifying and liberating the practice(s) of classical music

Welcome to a landing page for our #LiquidWeber research presentation at the Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Learning and Teaching 2023. This is a part of our ongoing #LiquidWeber Project. Research Abstract: Liquifying and Liberating the Practice(s) of Classical Music Evan Tobias, Arizona State University Alex Laing, Phoenix Symphony Orchestra TRUVONNE, Artist, Producer, Independent Scholar “It’s not about Weber, it’s about making Weber.” This answer to a question of whether it was appropriate to dedicate a significant amount… Read More »Research: Liquifying and liberating the practice(s) of classical music

Research: #LiquidWeber: Liberating classical music engagement through transmedia production and project-based learning

As part of our learning process with #LiquidWeber, we are researching our process and project. In November 2022 we presented some initial aspects of what we are learning from our research at the NAfME National Conference in a presentation titled: #LiquidWeber: Liberating classical music engagement through transmedia production and project-based learning. Here is the abstract of our presentation: Abstract: K-12 music education ensembles and professional orchestras often focus on a linear trajectory of rehearsing music for presentational performance to audiences… Read More »Research: #LiquidWeber: Liberating classical music engagement through transmedia production and project-based learning