A practical approach to group improvisation with teacher Ellwood Epps
Saturdays, June 10, 17, 24 & July 1, 3-5pm
with a Concert the evening of July 1
Come join this unique workshop where you'll unleash your creative spirit and develop skills as an improvising musician!
What is improvisation? Where do we begin? What do we listen for and how do we evaluate what we are playing? Over four Saturday afternoons we'll address these questions through exercises and discussions focusing on listening, developing musical materials in our own style, and investigating strategies and forms for making music. Then we'll invite our friends and present an informal concert as a way of celebrating what we've learned and experienced together.
The workshop is a great way to meet other musicians and to gain confidence in your creativity. As an ensemble we encourage, challenge, and inspire each other to make music that we can all call our own. Come expand your horizons and get your creativity flowing in a positive and encouraging environment!
All are welcome, no matter what instrument you play, how long you've been playing, or what style of music you might play. This four-day workshop is about making music together in real time.
About the teacher:
Trumpeter Ellwood Epps has directed the Studio d'Improvisation since 2009. He performs across North America with improvisers including William Parker, Steve Lacy, Lori Freedman, and Henry Grimes, and can be heard on 60 recordings. Ellwood has shared his experiences and insights with hundreds of students across Canada. His dedication to sharing knowledge and creating a positive, creative environment in his workshops make the SIM an open door to creativity for amateur and professional musicians alike.
Practical details:
The workshop will take place at a beautiful concert space and an important nerve center of Montreal's creative music scene. Piano, drums, and p.a. system will be provided on-site.
The workshop will be in both French and English, depending on the needs of participants.
The cost of the workshop is $85 if prepaid by June 1 (non-refundable). After June 1, the cost is $100 ($25 non-refundable to reserve, and the balance on first day of workshop) The price includes all four afternoons and the concert.The workshop will be in both French and English, depending on the needs of participants.
To watch some videos of a SIM concert, follow these links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28n4vdUrHIU
For info on Ellwood Epps, go to www.ellwoodepps.ca
''I love these workshops where we can explore and develop with others and with complete freedom our own freely improvised music.''
-Isabel Serra, saxophonist
'' The workshop has been a great experience in the foundations of improvisation, listening, response, sensitivity, sounds etc. Ellwood thank you again for this great experience and inspiration during these workshops.''
-Francois Corbeil, trumpeter
''A space of sound experimentation, boundary breaking and the bending of preconceived notions ...A great class to step outside the box.''
-Tarek Burgan, guitarist
''The worshop with Ellwood Epps was a way for me to try something new with my voice.''
-Vincent Bergeron, vocalist
