Strings: Improv for Young Musicians (Ages 5-17)

Course Description

Young children are innately creative. As infants we hear and repeat the sounds and words of our environment. Eventually we use that vocabulary to express our first thoughts and feelings. The very first notes we hear a student play when they try an instrument are improvisations.  

Musical improvisation is the act of playing “in the moment” without previous preparation or reading from a score.

This course provides exploratory space for students to discover their individual voice through improvisational games. We will also develop ensemble skills through reactionary communication by responding in real time to each other’s improvisational choices. At the end of this course students will demonstrate their new skills in short performance. 

Improv for Young Musicians is open to violinists, violists, cellists, and pianists playing at an elementary or intermediate level.