EDUCATION :: JUNE/JULY 2007
Making Up Music
Making up music: that’s the thing for some people and it can happen in lots of different ways. For Delaware composer, Chuck Holdeman, it took a while to evolve. When young he tried a little but it didn’t really take. Then one summer provided time to learn to play the recorder, which he decided to do only by improvising - no reading music. Later he did some improvisational performing with his bassoon, but that never quite developed, though Chuck still finds improvisation of great benefit in introducing musical creativity to others.
A Delaware Division of the Arts educational residency project with a teacher and her dancers at Cab Calloway School gave Holdeman, by now age 45, the chance to write for Relache, the Philadelphia new music group, getting exposed to many other composers and surprising sounds. He happened upon a lyrical style of composing, and had the possibility of beauty of sound, somewhat in the style French. Since then many compositions have been written and performed, most recently the one-act opera “Agostino and the Puccini Clarinet,” premiered in April at The Wilmington Music School, with story and libretto by Vincent Marinelli. One aspect of writing “Agostino” which Chuck especially enjoyed was depicting in music all the emotions the characters felt, from anger, fear, and discouragement, to hope, amazement, humor, and joyfully dancing the tarantella.
This summer Chuck is offering for the first time in Wilmington, an introductory class in composition. Historically, the great composers of classical music have been men, but now the concert halls are full of music by women composers. Maybe this summer you will write a song or a piece in Chuck Holdeman’s new class offering. See below.
NEW! SUMMER PROGRAM AT THE WILMINGTON MUSIC SCHOOL
Delaware Young Composers Ensemble
Ages: 14-18 (younger & older students considered) July 2, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 & 20 • 9:30-11:30 a.m. Performance Friday, July 13
In this seven-day workshop, students will immerse themselves in the compositional process in a group ensemble workshop with composer, Chuck Holdeman. The workshop is open to students with any level of experience composing, including none, although music-reading ability is required, along with some competency as a player or singer. Any style of music is acceptable. During the course of the workshop, each participant will compose a piece that will be performed and recorded by the participants. The compositions will be written, using music software when possible (instruction included). Sessions will include exercises in improvisation.
A phone interview with the instructor is required prior to registration.
Please call 302-762-1132 for more info and registration details.
The Wilmington Music School
4101 Washington St.
Wilmington, DE 19802
www.wilmingtonmusic.org
Photo Caption: Charles Holdeman, bassoon, composer, Master Faculty, B.M., University of Delaware; Artist Diploma, Curtis Institute of Music.
