Year of study: Two semesters, autumn and spring.
Final assessment: Assessment from course coordinator.
Language of instruction: Norwegain/English
Course description
The course is aimed at improvisation musicians who have woodwind or brass as their maininstrument. The main pillar of the course is to cultivate the distinctive expression possibilities of the wind instrument in solo and ensemble play and aims to give the students an increased awareness of their own improvisation practice through the exploration of their instrument's timbral and technical means and possibilities. The course will develop a deep and broad contextual understanding of the traditions and stylistic features that exist within the field, where we will listen, make music and experiment together. The course will alternately focus on both performing, improvising and composing solo and ensemble play.
The course is particularly aimed at students at KAUTIJ, FRIBA and FRIMA with improvisation and composition experience. Students from other study directions can get a place after audition.
Subject responsible: Department of improvised music, jazz, and folk music
Learning objectives
Upon completion of the course, it is expected that the student
- has knowledge of structural, textural and formal aspects as a soloist and about playing in a wind ensemble
- can create, improvise and compose music for solo and ensemble wind and consciously take a stand on stylistic characteristics and the interpretative scope of various choices
- can perform a longer solo set using distinct improvisation and composition strategies
- has a solid overview of both traditional and extended playing techniques and can use these in independent and creative musical courses
- can work and contribute creatively in group processes with surplus and overview over improvisation and composition elements
Overview
- Individual practice and practice in wind ensemble.
- Orientation about the field historically and practically
- Presentation of playing techniques and practice on the application of these in different musical contexts.
- Solo and ensemble concert performances.
- Compositional/arrangement contributions from everyone in the group
- Improvisation and composition elements that are particularly relevant for musical performance, creativity, and artistic innovation.
Structure
The teaching consists of a mix of solo/ensemble playing and teacher layout/lecture on specific themes. Both teachers and students contribute actively during class. Part of the work is done as independent studies and group work.
The student must have presented at least two longer solo performing concerts internally and be an active and creative co-creator in the elective wind ensemble during rehearsals and planned concerts.
A plan for the teaching and student presentations should be in place at the start of the academic year.
Course requirements
- Active participation in the course is required. More than 20% absence from class will normally cause the student to fail the subject.
- The students must participate in an ensemble concert and two internal solo performances during the subject.
Final assessment
All course requirements must be approved prior to obtaining a final assessment.
The final assessment is given as a pass/fail mark, which is determined by the course instructor based on each student’s level of achievement throughout the course period.
New assessment
For a new assessment, the subject must be performed again in its entirety.