CoNNeCTioNS - Music for People

CoNNeCTioNS
T h e
N e w s l e t t e r
Fall/Winter 2006-2007
o f
M u s i c
f o r
P e o p l e
$5.00 ISBN 1076-2485
IN THIS ISSUE:
Real Time - Julie Weber
A Natural Way - David Darling
The Elders, The Forgotten Improvisors - Annie O’Shea
Satellite Workshop Schedule
A letter from our Executive Director
Eric Miller
Dear MfPers,
We had some amazing workshops this summer. Between Kiental
in July, and AOI at Fredonia, the improvisations were truly inspired
and abundant. Wow... the celebrations were awesome! I’m still
floating on the summer improv cloud; however, the price at the
pumps is bringing reality back, and fast! MFP is feeling the jolt as
well. Numbers are a little bit down and the price to even get to a
workshop is unmistakably up. So, once again, it’s time to reach out
to our membership for help. Every small bit makes a difference.
Here are some things you can do to help:
Bring a friend to an MFP workshop and get a discount on your
registration.
Come to one of our new Satellite Series workshops and work on
honing a skill.
Step right up and organize an MfP benefit concert. We’ll happily
help guide you along.
Oh yeah, you can always pull out that checkbook, and write one
out to Music for People - we’d really love it!
Omega is always beautiful in the Fall, and it’s been a long time
since we’re held one of our events there. I look forward to seeing
you soon.
Who we are...
Music for People promotes
an improvisational approach
to the expressive arts —
especially music — with the
goal of empowering people
to take part in, rather than just
be passive observers of, the
arts. Gathering momentum
from the workshop and
concert experience of cellist
and Grammy-nominated
recording artist David Darling,
MfP was founded on the
conviction that music is a
natural creative expression
available to everyone.
We formed a network in
1986, became a nonprofit
organization in 1988, and
created a training program
in 1991. MfP has more than
80 certified graduates of the
Musicianship and Leadership
Program in the United States,
Canada and Europe where
they present programs for
schools, community groups
and businesses.
David Darling
Artistic Director
Musically yours,
Eric
Eric Miller
Executive Director
In This Issue
Julie Weber
MLP Chair
Page 2
Eric Miller
Page 3
Julie Weber - Real Time
Page 7
David Darling - A Natural Way
Page 10
Annie O’Shea - Elders....The Forgotten Improvisers
Page 12
Satellite Workshop Schedule
Page 13
Announcements and News
Page 14
Workshops & Gatherings
Page 16
Calendar
Cover Photo Credits: Julie Weber
Clockwise: Scott Ruland on guitar, Maaike Mulas, Tom Weiser,
Emily Metcalf, Pam Carlton,
Page - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Connections
Mary Knysh
MLP Europe Chair
Lynn Miller
Graduate Coordinator
Bonnie Shea
Office Manager
Music for People
PO Box 397
Goshen, CT 06756
Toll Free: 877-44MUSIC
Phone: 860-491-3763
From the Musicianship and Leadership Program Chairperson Julie Weber
Niagara River, eternal
Late this summer, a grey hummingbird stood mid-air, tail down, directly in front of my face, beak to
nose.
I heard it before I saw it.
The sound was quite loud, like a small motor.
I searched for the sound and was startled by the hummingbird being so close.
In the instant where our eyes or energies met, it seemed like it was about to communicate with me.
My movement startled her as well, and she raced off.
I could see her in the distance on the garden fence.
So fast – blink and these hummingbirds are 100 feet away – like a rocket.
This was such a great reminder that stopping movement through time, being still, creates
opportunity for things to come to me.
I had stopped from the busyness of my day.
hurry, hurry, buzz, buzz
multitask, buzz, buzz
get things done, buzz, buzz, buzz
I stood still, gazing at the plants and trees behind my house. I was moved into a different time zone
as often happens when I am absorbing nature. I’ve seen several hummingbirds this summer, each
time when I had been in stop mode, where I released my busy thoughts and let timelessness take
over.
Stillness...
Standing Time…
....like a sound wave that stands still in mid air, kind of stuck and not knowing where to go, it creates
a new world that for an instant is eternal. A lasting impression was made for me in that instant, so
much so that for my own experience it became timeless, eternal.
Waiting Time…
Stopping to listen…
A number of weeks ago, before going to AOI, I took my car to the service station to get ready for
the long drive. It was going to be a long wait, a 4-hour service. I brought a bag full of homeplay
recordings, a CD player, my ipod for recording notes and Bre Oshinsky’s Katrina Relief CD. I took
this bundle of potential sounds across the street with me, sat on a bench in front of a church in
Rhinebeck and settled in for this slow spread of time.
The cars and trucks buzzed relentlessly by.
hurry, hurry, buzz, buzz
gotta get there, buzz, buzz
I put on my earphones.
4 hours of waiting.....
....an opportunity for getting into time that I can feel....
Connections - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Page ....I want to call it “real time”........
Our relationship to time changes when we have to wait. We can feel the length and span of it.
Stopping to listen…
There I was sitting on the bench listening in real time to real people and their real sounds…
sounds that evoke the faces of people that I know. I listened to all of that wonderful, authentic
music coming from the homeplay recordings. It is such a truly refreshing contrast to the slick,
homogeneous recordings of the music industry. Each person with their unique sound imprint is
so much more interesting to me than what I hear at the Emmy awards programs. I was uplifted
by Bre’s Katrina Relief CD. Besides all of the heart-centered impulses that led to the creation
of this recording, it was so stirring to experience a recording that had all of her family members
contributing their own voices to it. It makes me want to have a family of the world recording, where
we hear all of the sounds of the individuals on this earth. In a sense our MfP weekend workshops
are a version of this. At each of our workshops we have a mixed bag of people who are willing
or learning how to step into the place of sharing their sounds with others, risking and gaining all of
the things that go along with this process. MfP also encourages everyone to make your own CD
and put your sounds out into the world for all to hear. We so very much need to hear these more
authentic ways of musical expression.
Breanna Metcalf- Oshinsky
at AOI 2006
There I was on the churchyard bench listening to the sounds of our MfP family. The luxurious wash
of time flowed over me. Then the church bell began to ring, the carillon playing familiar hymns…
almost too good to be true. All of these sounds were nourishing me and were a protective coat
from the craziness of the rush of cars and trucks only a few feet away from my tranquil setting. This
experience that was “using up” the minutes and hours in such a human corporeal way also began
to have a kind of timeless quality to it in that it was making a lasting impression on me. That day has
been encapsulated for me in my cellular memory.
Coming out of the Art of Improvisation Workshop
(AOI) at SUNY Fredonia this past August, the memory
of the people and their music improvisations hovered
in my consciousness for some time.
buzz, buzz, smile
I recalled the music-making and felt the relationships
of the people to their own time, my time, other
people’s time, universal time… when to start, when
to stop, when to wait, when to continue. I could see
and feel their attention to experiencing and learning
about where they were in time.
Katherine Weider, AOI 2006
Page - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Connections
How long does time feel?
We sometimes stop because we think we have been in too long, or we sometimes continue
because the time slips away and feels short. How long does time feel, really? How long does it feel
to the players/listeners, or to the listeners not playing?
Stopping to listen…
Feeling the time…
The expression of sounds, and the physical expressions in the faces and bodies of the people at the
workshop were making more impressions within me.
The attention…
The listening…
I could see in the faces when people knew that something
awesome was happening for them, a moment where they
sit up straight with attention, where they know that what
they are hearing is amazing, something wonderful has
just occurred. I listened and felt the vibrations of people
engaged in their remarkable activity. I cannot help but
feel love for these
individuals and
humanity when I
am in this setting.
I feel their energy like I did with the hummingbird.
I am both startled and thrilled and then very grateful for being part of such moments.
Connections - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Page One minute …
One of our MfP practices is to improvise solos within the frame of one minute. Your full range of
expression to be held in this minute…your most intense fire and your most gentle ooo energies …a
beginning, middle and end, a peak and resolution, all that you have to say, right now as if this were
the only time you have to do this…this very moment. It is entirely possible to have this full range of
expression in the one-minute solo. If one is inside that minute, it becomes a very, very long, plentyof- time kind of experience and the expression feels complete. If the relationship is not there, if it
takes 30-45 seconds to warm into the timeframe, there will never be enough time. The beautiful
thing is the next one-minute solo is another wholly wonderfully complete and new experience.
From the W.A. Mathieu’s “Listening Book”…
One long minute becomes a life, and when that one is over there is another life.
Music has this power-one complete life after another.
photos © Julie Weber 2006
other people in the photos….
John LaRocque, Pam Carlton, Suzann Kole, Roxane Hreha, Holly Foster, Mary Knysh, Matthew Bloch, Joel Kaplan, Richard
Lundquist, Henrik Stubbe Teglbjaerg
Ode To Opposites
Little sparrow
Falling inward
From the weight
Upon her heart
Like an anchor
Sadly sinking,
Wings collapsing
In the dark.
Said the eagle
To the sparrow,
I will fold you
In my wing.
Let my vision
Move us onward
Days and nights
We will sing.
Now the eagle
And the sparrow
Are united
Once again,
One so fragile
One so regal……..
With a new song
Til the end.
--Patricia Mulholland
Page - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Connections
45minutes of peace, love
and musicaldevelopment
.
Discover why our family and preschool classes are
so well loved. Apply your skills to our research-based
program, join a teaching community on the cutting
edge, and support a new generation of musically
competent children. There’s a workshop near you.
the joy of family music
®
(800) 728-2692 • www.musictogether.com
A
Mus
From our Artistic Director David Darling
Music for People, A Natural Way
Music for People provides the tools to discovering one’s unique path in
music and creativity.
MFP teaches acceptance; everyone needs to accept who and what
we are in our sounds and rhythmic creations. This means that we work and play
with getting rid of our negative thought processes about being musically inept
or undeserving. We are encouraged to listen first to what we do naturally. This
becomes part of the foundation of who we become when we enter into the
“more experienced” musician.
Every person has the inner wisdom and experience to find one’s music within by discovering
what one already knows and can do. This realization combined with musical play and improvisation
results in a positive life-long duet of one’s capabilities and one’s creativity.
Everyone is exposed to a great variety of melodic material through culture, family and
media. This lifetime of experience provides a springboard for creating melodic improvisation through
chanting and singing. One can add to this experience by practicing the droning exercises from RTC
to become more experienced with the chromatic and diatonic possibilities. The home play exercises
of identifying intervals and playing with them over a four-year experience in the MLP Program will
add another musical building block towards becoming an “Experienced Musician”.
Paying close attention to these melodies and accepting them as one’s “teacher” is one of
the keys to relaxing into our natural beauty with pitch and interval relationships.
Breath is always showing the natural way of making melody. The breath is similar to melody
in that it represents a tension inhale) and a release (exhale). As we release the sound we make
from groaning or moaning or singing or chanting, it provides a platform for creating our own unique
melodies. The RTC practice of the exhale from “ooo” to “ah” to “oh” on the note or pitch of the
beginning of a familiar song like Jin-gle-bells or letting our imagination simply lead us into our own
imitative melodic ideas also helps us recognize the correlation between our breath and melody
making. Improvisation of melody is as natural as our breathing!
Rhiannon recently said, “When we stop, we are waiting for instructions.” Yes! We are listening
to the Silence, our friend who will give us the next step. Wow!!!!
Being heard by the MfP community leads to nurturing self-discovery. Feedback from a
community that is willing to share feelings sincerely with no agenda helps one to grow musically just
like growing up in a family environment of love and support.
As part of a supportive environment we learn to receive coaching in a more relaxed way.
Growing confident and validated among our peers and friends allows us to accept instruction
gracefully. The easy part is that at MfP one has the freedom to learn and try new things any way
one wants!
Learning Do Re Mi and dancing with these sounds on a moment-by-moment basis is one
way that MFP gets people comfortable and successful with music and with improvisation. We urge
all of us to be listening to our inner DO RE MI and to notice that we can visualize and capture the
feeling all of the time. We can recognize it as part of all the melodies that we hear.
MfP encourages us to learn articulation from what is natural with one’s tongue and from
what is natural in one’s language ability.
Connections - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Page MFP wants everyone to feel that they
are part of the chosen ones. Everyone should
make efforts to compliment and converse with
fellow travelers, to honor the courage one
displays when playing, singing and sharing with
others.
MFP is always looking for the natural
path in what one does and creates easily.
Each MFP session is another chance
to imitate each other’s sounds and rhythms;
imitation out of love, relaxation and approval.
When immersed in these soundings and visual
demonstrations for a period of time, one
naturally begins to learn just as easily as children
do.
MFP provides all the above as a way to
avoid commercialized style and embrace real
substance in life and art. Our culture bombards
us with emphasis on style rather then substance.
Celebrate Quality (Substance), not Quantity
(Commercialization)!
Much love to you all and thank you for your
kindness to me and to all the MFP participants.
Music for People
SUSTAINING FUND
-
WE NEED YOU!
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation
of any size to support the ongoing mission of MfP.
___ GRAND BENEFACTOR
$10,000. & above
___ BENEFACTOR
___ SPONSOR
$5,000. - $9,999.
$1,000. - $4,999.
___ PATRON
___ FRIEND
___ DONOR
$500. - $999.
$100. - $499
$99. & under
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Please call 1-877-44MUSIC for information on how
you may establish your own MfP Scholarship fund.
Donor Name________________________________________
Address____________________________________________
City_______________________________________________
State ___________________
Zip ________________
Phone______________________________________________
e-mail______________________________________________
I am pleased to make a tax-deductible donation
in the amount of $_________________________
____ Check enclosed payable to: Music for People
____ Please charge my
___ MasterCard ___ Visa ___ Discover ___ AmEx
Card #_____________________________________________
Expiration Date _____________
Name on Card_______________________________________
Thank you to the financial supporters
of Music for People!
Alison Cardinet, Andy Smith, Ange Chianese, Ann Rogers,
Anthony Hyatt, Barbara Carden, Beth Olney, Billy Patton,
Bonnie Allen, Carol Purdy, Carroll Butterworth, Christian
Woehr, Christobal Jacques, Chuck Easter, Clint Goss, Currie
Barron, Daniel Bacon, David Jacobi, David Kandel, David
Rudge, Denise Gendron, Dorothy Rice, Eric Reinhardt, Eric
Roberts, Eugene Carr, Frances Miller, Gary Gray, Gerald
Dignan, Heather Keller, Heidi Monteith Kreindler, Jahna
Moncrief, Jamie Kubala, Janet Bloom, Janet London, JoAnn
Spies, Joanna Candler, Joelle Danant, John LaRocque, Jon
Globerson, Joshua Weitman, Judy Binder, Juliann Wolfarth,
Julie Cook, Karen Kohlhagen, Kathy Brown, Kenneth Cox,
Kevin Cosgrove, Kevin Makarewicz, Larisaa Oryshkevich,
Lise Roy, Lois Hartzler, Louise Pearson, Lucie Michaelson,
Marcia Sloane, Margaret Carter, Margo Berg, Marian Porter,
Marie van Vuuren, Marie Young-West, May Ho, Micahel
DeMaria, Michael Gaeta, Monica Peloquin, Monique Poirier,
Nan Cardella, Nicholas Elderkin, Orna Lenchner, Pamela
Blevins Hinkle, Pamela Holmes, Patricia Mulholland, Patsy
Lawry, Penny Jones Barbera, Peter Dubner, Peter Fairchild,
Rachel Riemann, Randy Brody, Reinsurance Association
of America, Roberta Guthrie, Rodney Farrar, Rosemary
Finale, Sadja Greenwood, Sally Childs-Helton, Sharyn
Rhodes, Steven E Van Vliet, Sue Armstrong, Susan Deikman,
Thomasina, Sylvia Winsby
Page - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Connections
Please return this completed form with
your contribution to:
Music for People
P. O. Box 397, Goshen, CT 06756 USA
With gratitude,we acknowledge the generosity
of the following individuals. Their support over
the years has helped keep MfP alive.
GRAND
BENEFACTORS
BENEFACTORS
$5,000. +
$10,000. +
Jerry Alkoff
Dan Bruce
Currie Barron
Mark Hinckley
Margo Berg
Joel Kaplan
SPONSORS $1,000. +
Bonnie Allen, Carol Purdy
David Jacobi, David Kandel
Dorothy & David Rice
Ingrid Bredenberg, Jan Morton
Jim Oshinsky, Libby Francisco
Lucie Michaelson, Naomi Bennett
Nelson Cleary, Peter Crist
Robert & Melisa Barnhart
Sadja Greenwood, Sarah Tenney
Suzanne Timken
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Jan Hittle
Emily Metcalf
Carol Purdy
Julie Weber
When You Play...
Breathe
Into the murmur of your cells.
Wear petals from your flowering heart
On your sleeve.
Dance on the edge of the abyss
And let yourself fall
Into the black water stillness.
Yes, this is where you’re going,
Into the Un-known.
Don’t try.
It’s true, no one else will be there.
Not even you.
Let the soft empty silence
Shimmer like the wind.
And listen to its song.
--Katherine Weider
Listen
Can you hear it?
The sweetest sound
comes near the end.
Start with ears
big enough to
let in a river.
After the first rush
(if you are very still)
you will hear it:
a pure silver voice,
arrow-straight for
your heart.
You could drink in that sound
all day.
One note,
then another,
another—
Each
singular
raindrop
turning parched land
to Paradise.
Listen closely.
Can you hear it?
--Julie Cook
Connections - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Page Elders....The Forgotten Improvisers
Annie O’Shea
“I used to play classical violin” one woman told me, through tears, at the end of a session.
“I had some sort of breakdown and felt I could never hope to play again. What do you think? ” she
asked me.
Wow…what a responsibility to answer a question like that. I gave her a big hug and said, “Of
course you can play again - with me, with us. Bring your violin as soon as you’re ready. There are
others here who feel the same way. We’ll bring that up the next time and plan a special session that
makes it possible to include everyone and their forgotten instruments.”
I am so happy when I can facilitate a musical re-awakening - passing along the “Music for
People” gift that I received just a few years ago.
I do a lot of work with elders in assisted living facilities, retirement centers and senior
community centers. Over and over again I hear the stories: “I used to sing;” “I played in the band;”
“I loved the guitar but my teacher said I had no talent,” and “I don’t have any rhythm and I’m tone
deaf.”
We have all heard these stories from all ages when we facilitate sessions that include people
who consider themselves untrained.
However, working with elders somehow has a special poignancy for me. Many at this age
have lots of time to pursue musical activities but receive no encouragement. This is a very special
niche for MFP trained facilitators to do service with this population.
As long as I can remember I have had this calling to work with the older generation and
always receive far more than I give. My heart is filled up everytime I facilitate an elder session and
realize the impact it seems to have. For example, an activity director took me aside and let me
know that she had been worried about Patricia: “She has been so depressed...and look out there,
she’s dancing a jig in the hall and saying she has never had a better time! “the director said.
At another session, a participant came up to me and said: “I’m healed,” with a big grin on
her face. “I can barely use my left arm at all but I played the drum and shaker almost the whole
time!” she added.
Last week a participant at a regularly scheduled group (they usually begin making music
even before I get there) told me that she had been using only her wheelchair lately but when she
found out I was coming, she felt inspired to come early and try coming with her walker instead. “I
made it,” she said, beaming with joy. I gave her a big hug, and set my Q-chord across her lap so
she could play some music while I was setting up. The Q-chord is a sort of electronic autoharp...my
band in a box.
So, what do I do at these sessions? Well, of course I improvise! I do have a basic plan, but as
we learned at MFP, if I keep my ears and eyes and heart open, the participants show me what to
do and where to go with the music.
Page 10 - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Connections
Here is an example about how it may go:
I hand out small shakers, bells, and claves while a jazzy rhythm plays on the Q-chord (a
sort of electronic autoharp-very user friendly). The room lights up with smiles and energy. I add
the accompaniment to the Q-chord rhythm and, presto, we’re playing and singing “You are my
sunshine”. It’s a good start with familiar music and no demands. Very often there is a volunteer
dancer. If the energy is good, we may sing and shake to more than one song.
Meanwhile, the drums are lined up in front and the participants have had a while to look
them over and are eager to play. There are many sizes and colors. My assistant, when I have one,
and I hand them out, always checking to see if anyone has a special yearning for a specific drum.
I often begin with the sense of touch, encouraging them to rub their hands on the drum,
scratch the top, hit the sides… showing them the options and urging them to explore a variety of
sounds on the drum.
We may spend a short time stretching our fingers, arms, shoulders to get warmed up for the
drumming. Voice warm-ups are also included. Up and down the scale with the familiar “la la la
la la” that we’ve probably all heard sometime in our life. Babbling, chewing a huge wad of gum,
pretending we’re opera stars, we laugh and laugh and get ready.
I show them rumbles and stops; oh, how they love the stops! All together, from joyous
drumming to silence. It’s magical for them. It brings them together as a group when a stop is dead
on.
With the drums I’ll start, simply, with even-handed drumming or: “1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &,” with
accents on 1, 2, 3, & 4.
Or I may give a quick drum lesson. All eyes are on me and VERY serious!
“OK, pick up your right hand. Now drop it onto the drum. Now, pick up your left hand, and
drop it onto the drum. That’s it!! You’re a drummer!” This proclamation creates laughter, safety and
acceptance and lightens the expectations they may have.
We may do “call and response” with vocals or drums, or both. Usually, at this point, fear
surfaces for some. “I can’t.” “Oh, it won’t be right.” “I never took lessons”.
“Great,” I’ll tell them; “you will sound fabulous! Don’t think. Just pick up your mallets and drop
them; the sound and rhythm will come. If you get stuck, say something. We will drum the rhythm of
the words,” I continue.
We may do several short sessions of “free” drumming with some group sculpting, depending
on the group.
A favorite activity is “Song Stories.” I tell a story with clues to songs that they know hidden in
the text. When they guess one they holler it out and we play the drums and sing the song together.
Very good brain food! The song story idea was originated by Heather Mactavish. http://groups.
yahoo.com/group/newrhythmsfdn
This is, of course, just a taste of the possibilities. I highly encourage anyone who feels they
might want to give the elders a try to step out. If you would like to have a conversation with me
about my experience, PLEASE call or email me anytime. I would love to share everything I know.
v
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Annie is a 2001 MFP graduate with specialties in rhythm and voice. She uses the guitar, ukulele,
piano, accordion, resonator bells, and recorders in her group work. Annie and Michael, her
husband, designed a sturdy and inexpensive drum (made in 8 inch, 10 inch and 12 inch diameters
so they can be nested) to use in rhythmic work. Pictures and directions on how to make them can
be found at http://www.rhythmweb.com/homemade/tubes.
Annie’s current projects include an ongoing women’s improvisation group, a monthly mixedgender rhythm circle, a theater project with an assisted living facility, and leading improvisational
sessions at a local residential transition center called “Sponsors”. Women just released from prison
reside here and develop the skills they need to restart their lives.
Thank you MFP!!!!
Connections - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Page 11
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Music for People Presents
These seminars will take place between
the regularly scheduled workshops that MFP has offered for many years. The intention is to offer a more intimate and coached
seminar with staff and graduates in the locale in which they live. To register for
any of the satellite workshops below visit our website at musicforpeople.org or contact Bonnie in the
Music for People office: [email protected] or 877-44MUSIC.
November 12, 2006, Music in The Moment (The Songs Within You)
Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, 12:30pm - 6pm, $100 Tuition
MFP Faculty / MFP MLP Program Grads Ron Kravitz and Liz Byrd facilitate. Come explore your musical nature
and experience self-expression through music improvisation. We will be using our voices/instruments/body as
we discover melodies, songs and rhythms created in the moment. Areas of focus will include structured and
unstructured improvisations, ensemble expression, soloing, listening, conducting and the role of silence. No prior
experience is necessary. Expect the unexpected and show up with the intention of being open and willing to
engage with a playful spirit!
December 9, 2006, Music for People “Big Ears” Ensemble skills, Baldwin, NY, 10AM - 4PM
$100 Tuition
MFP Faculty / MFP MLP Program Grads Jim Oshinsky and Emily Metcalf facilitate at their home.
The day’s session will focus on ensemble skills, so we can all “play well with others.” We feature deep listening
as the key to sensitive and powerful playing in duets, trios and quartets. Bring a bag lunch. Bring a friend!
January 13, 2007, Improv & Recording, Phoenixville, PA, 10AM - 4PM, $100 Tuition
MFP Faculty / MFP MLP Program Grads Eric Miller and Lynn Miller facilitate at their home.
This will be a chance to either focus on general improv fun, or learn to turn the knobs in the studio and create
studio tracks.
January 27, 2007,Vocal Improvisation, Phoenixville, PA, 10AM - 4PM, $100 Tuition
MFP Faculty / MFP MLP Program Grad Lynn Miller facilitates at her home. Singing is a way to connect deeper
with ourselves, a window to the soul. A safe and supportive environment will be provided for exploration,
spontaneity and risk taking. Learn to sing from your heart with your own authentic voice. Explore tools and
exercises to access and release your vocal creativity and potential for improvisational singing with others. There
are no wrong notes.
March 3, 2007, I Love Piano, Redding CT. 10AM - 4PM, $100 Tuition
MFP Faculty / MFP MLP Program Grad Mark Hinkley facilitates at his home. Improvisors will explore harmony and
rhythm. Behind the Chesire cat smile of those 88 keys lies endless journeys into the piano’s rhythm, melodic, and
harmonic possibilities.
March 17, 2007, Finding Your Long-Lost Musician, Goshen CT. 10AM - 4PM, $125 Tuition
DAVID DARLING faciliates in his home. Join David Darling in this inspirational workshop designed to provide tools
for life-long musical performance and appreciation. He creates a liberating environment in which each of us
has the opportunity to discover and work with our musical abilities. Darling is known for his energetic, loving and
accepting style of bringing out the musical soul in all of us. Sessions are relaxed and centered on the profound
qualities of the wonders of music. No experience necessary.
Don’t miss our regularly scheduled “Adventures in Improvisation” weekend events:
October 13-15, 2006 Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY
Feb 23-25, 2007 Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA
May 4-6, 2007, Stony Point Center, Stony Point, NY
June 22-24, 2007, Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA
Page 12 - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Connections
ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS
Yofiyah (Susan Deikman) (MLP Graduate)
I’m really pleased to announce that a remix of my CD, “Kabbalah Kirtan”, is being released by
Sounds True on Sept. 14. I couldn’t have ever done it without going through the MFP training. I’m so
grateful. CD can be purchased at my web site: www.KabbalahKirtan.com
Jahna Moncrief (MLP Grad) and Eve Kodiak (MFP Member) met in a school cafeteria to start
planning some improvisation workshops in NH - stay tuned for further developments. Eve’s eleven
year-old son, Daniel, is a new member of Jahnna’s string ensemble (they connected through
Connections!). Eve is currently recording her solo album of piano improvisations, Meditations on
a New Year’s Day, at WGBH studios in Boston. Along with lots of holiday tunes, it includes some
interesting MfP-style improvs: a sort of “Birth of the Ostinato,” taking off from Cello Blue, Parker’s
Mood chopped up and superimposed over a descending bass line, a sort of steady-state improv
that treats the piano as an oversized kalimba, and lots of melodies played over drones. It will be
available from www.evekodiak.com later this fall.
Quotes from participants of the Musicianship & Leadership Program:
“Silence is a reservoir. I’ve been enjoying relaxing into it more and more in my music making. And
in my life. Learning how to listen to myself and to others. The unconditional acceptance of myself
and others. I value being reminded of this every mfp weekend and to see it modeled by David and
others. Giving people love. I am becoming more and more generous as I make my appreciation
explicit.”
-----Katherine Weider
“I believe strongly that my instruments have
much to teach one another. My current
learning is to apply the compassion that is
so freely given through the harp to my other
instruments.”
-----Heather Keller
“I chose to be in the “ Music for People”
program, because it gives me good pushes to
share myself with others. I feel I have become
a better listener, and a holder of space, and
therefore also become a better musician and
leader.”
-----Henrik Stubbe Teglbjaerg
“I am committed to the proposition that
wherever a person is musically..... is perfect in
that moment.”
-----Margaret Carter
We Want Your Input!
We want to hear from you! Submit news,
poems, articles, pictures, suggestions and
advertisements to Bonnie in the Music for
People office. 800-4-music or
[email protected]
Keep in touch with Music for People!
Join [email protected].
Membership in Yahoo! It’s free.
To join, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/
and click on Sign Up.
Clint�Goss����Eric�Miller
with�David�Darling�and�Lynn�Miller
www.SpiritGrass.com�•�[email protected]
Connections - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Page 13
Music for People Community
Workshops and Gatherings
Email the MfP Office, [email protected], with information about your gathering! It’s free!
IN CANADA :
INDIANA
SALLY CHILDS-HELTON (G) - Indianapolis, IN
SHARON LITTLE (G) - London, Ontario
Make Your Own Kind of Music workshops, one-on-ones,
­distance learning (phone and tape), children to adults.
Drum circles. Find Your Creative Voice – through the
voice to the Creative Fire Within (private ­sessions, groups,
seminars, speaking engagements). No musical experience
Improv gatherings are held at 7:00 PM on a somewhat adlib schedule in the home of Sally and Barry Childs-Helton,
5271 Primrose Ave. Please bring snacks. All welcome. Please
call 317-251-8099 or email [email protected] to be
added to the notification list for upcoming events.
necessary. [email protected] or 519-785-0797
MASSACHUSETTS
MONIQUE POIRIER (G) - Montreal, Quebec
SARAH TENNEY (G) - Cambridge, MA
Workshops in improviation open-to-all: Sept: 23-24. Also
Improvisation gatherings. Call: 617-876-7847 or e-mail:
piano workshops and individual lessons in piano improvisa-
[email protected]
tion. [email protected] or 514-341-5943
NEW HAMPSHIRE
LISE ROY (G) - Montreal, Quebec
Separate weekly gatherings for beginners and long-time
improvisors and individual sessions. 514-523-7517
WORKSHOPS AND GATHERINGS LISTED BY STATE:
JAHNA MONCRIEF (G) - Alstead, NH
Music Outside the Box! Intermediate and Advanced musicians on violin, viola cello and double bass are invited to
join the Contoocook Valley Regional School District String
Ensemble on Monday afternoons at 3pm, at ConVal High
School. Classic chamber music and MfP style improvisa-
CALIFORNIA
tions are all part of the fun Performances are in December,
SADJA GREENWOOD (G) - Bay Area, CA Monthly gather-
March and May. Please contact Jahna Moncrief if you are
ings on Saturdays or Sundays. Always fun!
interested! [email protected] or JahnaCalandrelli@
No fee. Call:
415-868-0493
world.oberlin.edu or phone 603-588-6630 x6414.
ARIEL “Orna” LECHNER - Oakland, CA
NEW JERSEY
Monthly improv gatherings on Sundays at 11:00 AM. Bring
your spirit, voice and instrument, veggie munchies optional.
Call: 510-655-2952
CONNECTICUT
KEVIN MAKAREWICZ (G) - Greenwich, CT
Seasonal and Ritual Dance & Music. Private sessions and
residencies. 203-698-2465
VICTORIA CHRISTGAU - Litchfield, CT
Ongoing workshops, gatherings, ­residencies and private
sessions. Call: 860-567-3441
RANDY BRODY (G) - Weston, CT
2006-2007 Fall/Winter Community Drum Circles, October
16, November 20, December 18, January 15, February 19,
March 19. Time: 7:30-9:00pm Location: Norfield Grange,
12 Good Hill Road, Weston, CT. Admission: $10.00 adults
/ $5.00 seniors (65+) and under 12. Info: 203-544-7085, [email protected] or sounddirections.net
ANGE CHIANESE/MINDI TURIN (E) - Trenton/Lawrenceville,
NJ
Ange and Mindi alternate hosting an improv gathering on
the first Sunday of each month. Contact Ange (angezip@
aol.com) or Mindi ([email protected]) if you are interested in coming.
JANE BUTTARS (G) - Princeton, NJ
Music from the Inside. Explore music and movement
improvisation and develop self-expression and music skills. Workshops, residencies, private sessions, piano improvisation
distance learning by speaker phone or tape. For details: 609-683-1269 or [email protected]
KEN GUILMARTIN - Princeton, NJ
Fun, participatory workshops in early childhood music and
movement. Increase your understanding of music development in young children; learn developmentally appropriate
instruction using Center for Music and Young Children’s
Music Together curriculum. Workshops offered through U.S.
and Canada. Call CMYC: 800-782-2692
Page 14 - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Connections
Dorothy Sikora (G) - Red Bank Area, NJ
ERIC & LYNN MILLER (G) - Phoenixville, PA
Monthly gatherings, vocal, drum circles and improv gather-
Workshops and gatherings. Call for details.610-933-8145
ings open to all. Have fun, Sing, play music. 732-222-8703
LYNN MILLER (G) - Phoenixville, PA , December 16th, Fire-
NEW YORK
bord Festival, featuring MFP friends Improv Orchestra, Eric
JULIE WEBER (G) - Woodstock, NY
Miller and Clint Goss- Spiritgrass and much art and music
YOU ARE THE MUSIC - music improvisation and music learn-
celebration around buring the giant Phoenix Bird.
ing experiences - No matter your musical experience - begin, reawaken or deepen your relationship with music in a
relaxed, supportive atmosphere.
Workshops • Lessons
• Individuals • Ensembles • Professional Groups • Community Building • Staff Development
e-mail: [email protected] or Call: 845-473-4572
TOM WEISER (L) - New York, NY
Vocal Improv Lab -- an open circle of a capella
RON KRAVITZ (G) - Philadelphia, PA & Wyndmoor, PA
Group Motion Workshop Dance improvisation with live
music 8:00 to 10:00 PM every Friday night throughout the
year at 3500 Lancaster Ave. Phila. Pa. 19104 Ongoing since
1968. Lead by Manfred Fischbeck and Brigitta Herrmann
www.groupmotion.org or 215-387-9895
Music in the Moment (The Songs Within You).
www.
musicinthemoment.com Improv gatherings many Saturday
improvisation. Sessions last 2 hours. Held twice monthly
mornings from 9:30AM - 12:30 PM. 1012 E. Southamptan Ave.
in New York City. For information e-mail Tom Weiser at
Wyndmoor, Pa. 19038 or by appt. 215-233-0777
[email protected]
DAVID RUDGE (G) - Fredonia, NY
The Improv. Collective meets weekly on the campus of
SUNY-Fredonia. We give two concerts per year. This is a
(G)
(L)
(M)
(E)
(A)
=
=
=
=
=
MLP Graduate; Certified MfP Teacher
Leader
Mentor
Explorer
Apprentice
student organization with David Rudge as its advisor. There
is also a Free Improvisation class that meets each week
3:00-4:30 PM on Thursdays.Guests are always welcome! For
more information call: 716-673-4644
JOELLE DANANT (G) - Brooklyn, NY
$15 registration, e-mail: [email protected] or Call:
718-783-5231 3rd Sunday of each month in Park Slope. 2:00
to 4:00 PM. Unleash Your Vocal Muse -- vocal improvisation
workshop. Every other Thursday, 7:30-9:30pm in Park Slope:
Sacred Singing Circle (non-denominational). Tuesday 7p9p, Improvisational Movement & Singing from the Inside Out
Emily Metcalf (G), Jim Oshinsky (Hon G) , - Baldwin, NY. Periodic MfP house parties. 516-623-6912 oceansky@optonline.
net
PENNSYLVANIA
Suzanne V. Bernhardt (G) northern Philadelphia
suburb. Private workshops in overall self-expression, creative development, and life integration, including MFP
techniques as well as improvisational theater and dance
approaches. I also teach “Theater as Spiritual Practice” at
Bryn Athyn College, (brynathyn.edu) and for the community, at Mitchell Performing Arts Center (mitchellcenter.
info), which is open to larger community involvement. 267
502 2588 or [email protected]
About Connections...
Connections, Music for People’s newsletter, is
published two times a year. We welcome articles,
interviews, quotes, poems, vignettes and other
tidbits of wisdom relevant to music, creativity
and improvisation. An average feature article in
Connections is approximately 1,200-1,500 words.
Please include a 2-3 sentence author biography.
A photo or drawing of the author or the workin-action is great. Please include credits for
photographers and artists. If you are sending
someone else’s material, please secure written
reprint permission from the publisher, author or artist
and send it to us with the manuscript. For more
information about submitting materials, contact the
MfP Office: [email protected]
Ad Rates and Sizes...
Please submit ads for Connections electronically as
a black & white graphic file with a minimum 300 dpi
setting OR as camera ready art. Ad payments are
made to Music for People.
Rate
Size
$150
Full Page
W: 6.75” x H: 9.5”
$100
Half Page
W: 3.25” x H: 9.5”
OR
W: 6.75” x H: 4.75”
$70
Quarter Page
W: 3.25” x H: 4.75”
OR
W: 6.75” x H: 2.35”
$35
Eighth Page
W: 3.25” x H: 2.5”
10% Discount MfP Members
20% Discount MLP Grads
Calendar Listings are free to all members.
Connections - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Page 15
CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES
Oct. 13-15, 2006 Class 1 - Adventures in Improvisation Omega Institute
Musicianship & Leadership Program Rhinebeck, NY
Feb. 23-25, 200
Class 2 - Adventures in Improvisation Immaculata University
Musicianship & Leadership Program Frazure, PA
April 11 - 15, 2007 MfP Switzerland Program
May 4-6, 2007
Kientalerhof,
Kiental, Switzerland
Class 3 - Adventures in Improvisation Stony Point Center
Musicianship & Leadership Program Stony Point. NY
June 22 - 24, 2007Class 4 - Adventures in Improvisation Immaculata University
Musicianship & Leadership Program Frazure, PA
AND Improvisation Camp
July 16-24, 2007 MfP Switzerland Program
Kientalerhof,
Kiental, Switzerland
July 29 - August 3, 2007 TENTATIVE DATE
Art of Improvisation
SUNY, Fredonia, NY
*****See Page 12 for new Satellite Workshop Schedule*****
Photo credit: Julie Weber
Music for People
P.O. Box 397
Goshen, CT 06756
USA
Toll Free: 877-44MUSIC
Phone: 860-491-3763
www.musicforpeople.org
Page 16 - Fall/Winter 2006-2007 - Connections
NON PROFIT ORG.
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PAID
PERMIT NO. 20
Goshen, CT
06756