Registration open for "Art of Improv"

Music for People, an international not-for-profit organization that promotes self-expression through music and improvisation is presenting the "Art of Improvisation" music workshop with David Darling, at SUNY Fredonia. Music for People has participants and members who are musicians and music educators from all walks of life.

The week-long workshop, which runs from July 30 through August 4, will be facilitated by world class cellist, improviser, recording artist and Grammy-nominee David Darling and is offered as a credit-bearing class at the graduate or undergraduate level through Director of Orchestras David Rudge and the Fredonia School of Music.

Open to all musicians at the intermediate, advanced and professional levels, the Art of Improvisation workshop will allow participants to explore musical and vocal improvisation with the kind of commitment, nuance and profundity found in fine, classical, ensemble-playing as well as the best jazz, rock, and world music combos. The workshop will inspire teachers to take improvisation, one of the National Education Standards, into the classroom.

In an energetic, humorous and open-minded environment, musicians and singers will discover how to move beyond musical inhibitions and be encouraged to play at the peak of their technical and expressive ability, while maintaining their own unique musical style.

Facilitator David Darling, who uses techniques drawn from around the world — from Bach to Boogie-Woogie and Brazilian to BeBop — is known for his unique improvisational style, and humanistic approach to teaching music. In addition to being an original member of The Paul Winter Consort, he has also performed and recorded with Bobby McFerrin, Glen Velez, Spyro Gyra, Arlo Guthrie and R. Carlos Nakai.

Also leading sessions during this workshop are Music for People faculty Mary Knysh, Lynn Miller, Julie Weber, and David Rudge, who is Director of Orchestras and Opera at the Fredonia School of Music.

Art of Improvisation offers something for all musicians and vocalists experienced in any musical tradition, including classical, jazz, folk, theater, rock, ethnic, bluegrass and avant-garde; and all instruments including acoustic, electric, ethnic drums and percussion, and even homemade. Prior experience in improvisation is not necessary to participate.

SUNY Fredonia, which is hosting the workshop, is nationally known for its School of Music, which offers artistic and professional degree programs in music education, music theatre, performance, therapy, sound recording, and composition. The 249-acre campus of SUNY Fredonia is located in the center of a Chautauqua County village, surrounded by wooded areas, and comprised of traditional academic buildings dating back to the first half of the 20th century, as well as contemporary structures designed by I.M. Pei and Partners.

Tuition for the Art of Improvisation is $395 early bird by June 30 and $450 after June 30. Student discount tuition is $180. Housing and meals are $280 per person for a double occupancy dorm or $350 for a single. For more information, or to register for Art of Improvisation, call Music for People toll-free at 1-877-44MUSIC (860-491-3763 outside the U.S.), e-mail or access the website.

Participants interested in earning graduate or undergraduate credits may call SUNY Fredonia Office of Lifelong Learning at 716-673-3177 or email.