TACAW/Courtesy photo
The Aspen Music Festival and School, in partnership with The Arts Campus at Willits, will launch its debut Collective Composition Workshop.
“This workshop puts our valley youth at the center of the creative process and allows their voices to be heard,” Vice President of Education and Community at the Aspen Music Festival and School Heather Stanton said in a press release.
The program invites young Roaring Fork Valley musicians in grades 4 to 12 to originate, compose and perform a new piece of music under the guidance of nationally renowned artists from April 6 to 10 — followed by a free and public premiere performance set for April 10. Both the workshop and performances will take place at The Arts Campus at Willits, located at 400 Robinson St. in Basalt.
A reprise performance will also take place during the Aspen Music Festival Aug. 1 in Harris Concert Hall, located at 980 N. 3rd St. in Aspen.
The innovative after-school workshop offers an exciting opportunity for Roaring Fork Valley students to create a brand-new piece of music from start to finish, as well as perform it. No prior composition experience is required.
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, participating students will use the America250 youth essay prompt, “What does America mean to you?”
In addition to the education staff of the two hosting organizations, the leadership team for the program will include:
- Daniel Trahey, co-founder of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s acclaimed OrchKids program and the creative director of the Collective Conservatory
- Pete Tashjian, percussionist
- Natalie Frakes, violinist
- Aja Black, hip-hop artist
- Mollie Westbrook, clarinetist and saxophonist
“By working alongside extraordinary teaching artists and their peers, students will experience what it truly means to create their own music by listening, experimenting, taking risks and building something meaningful together,” Stanton said.
The final composition will reflect the voices and influences of its student creators and blend together “elements of classical music, jazz, popular styles and improvisation,” according to the press release.
“At The Arts Campus at Willits, we believe in the power of the arts to bring young people together through joyful, inspiring experiences,” Education Manager at The Arts Campus at Willits Anna Feiss said.
The program is open to students in or near the Roaring Fork Valley, with at least one year of instrumental experience or vocal study, plus any youth involved in arts organizations like Jazz Aspen Snowmass; the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra; Rock and Roll Academy; Bravo! Vail; local in-school music programs; homeschool communities; and private music studios.
Feiss continued, “We also believe deeply in partnering with local nonprofits — by sharing expertise and resources, we can create something even stronger. Above all, we’re proud to celebrate America250 with a program that honors the voices and experiences of ALL young people.”
The program is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tuition for the workshop is $100, with financial need scholarship opportunities available. Enrollment is open and limited to 50 students. For more information or to register, visit bit.ly/collectivecompositionworkshop or contact education@aspenmusic.org.