The Art of Improvisation

presented by Music for People  +  SUNY - Fredonia

Music for People, founded by cellist David Darling and flautist Bonnie Insull in 1986, is dedicated to re-vitalizing your music-making and promoting music as a means of self-expression. Music for People is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to promote a humanistic approach to the way music is taught, performed, and appreciated.

Music for People was founded to fulfill a key element missing in the training of many music students, and especially to call back to music those former students who were lost along the way, when their music schooling became too filled with criticism and harshly communicated judgment. With profound respect for the creative impulse in everyone, Music for People also strives to act as a catalyst in gathering people together to play and sing by creating safe environments in which they can explore music improvisation. To this end, the organization offers music improvisation workshops throughout the year, as well as a four-year program called the Musicianship and Leadership Program (MLP).

The Art of Improvisation

Music for People's popular Art of Improvisation workshop is held on the campus of SUNY – Fredonia each August, which can be taken as a graduate course through the School of Music. About 100 improvisers attend from all over the US, representing virtually all levels of experience and styles of music.

For more information: www.musicforpeople.org

David Darling

is a cellist and composer. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Bobby McFerrin and Spyro Gyra in addition to putting out several solo and small ensemble albums as well as albums of his compositions. In 2000 he recorded an unusual collaboration with the Wulu Bunun, a group of Taiwanese aborigines.

Born in Elkhart, Indiana, Darling began studying cello at 10 and continued on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from Indiana University. He took a position as elementary and secondary school instrumental ensemble director in Evansville, Indiana in 1966, and in 1969 joined the faculty of Western Kentucky University teaching music education and directing the community college orchestra. He joined the Paul Winter Consort in 1970, as well as taking a position with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, and remained a member until 1987, when he left to pursue a solo career. In 1986 Darling joined Young Audiences, Inc., an organization that seeks to educate children about music and the arts through in-school programs. In the same year, he founded Music for People, which seek to encourage self-expression through musical improvisation.

Darling's performance and composition draw on a wide range of styles, including classical, jazz, Brazilian, African, and Indian music. He currently lives in Goshen, Connecticut where he continues his active composing, teaching, and performing career. Darling is a tremendously gifted teacher of music improvisation and is a passionate believer in the ability of every human to learn to express themselves musically. He co-founded Music for People an organization that runs "music for everyone" workshops that are inspiring everyone from musical novices to professionals. All musical styles are honored, from Bach to boogie-woogie.

"Always be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else."   -- Judy Garland