As part of the Jazz composition group, I have composed a small jazz piece for a sextet which I managed to finish today. I have never composed for jazz before so it was an amazing experience as I have learnt so much from the tutor group sessions and the tutorials such as different modes, chord […]
As part of the Jazz group, it was really nice to have a refreshing overview of the theory involved at the start of the week, such as multiple different modes, chord symbols, chord functions, and so on! This helps greatly as I had a slightly rusty understanding of it all before, but having completed the […]
The SaM Summer School has been great so far! I’ve found the taster sessions most enjoyable, as we got to explore composing for different genres of music. I’ve also learnt a great deal from the workshop sessions too, as we’ve been able to associate with other musicians who play the same instruments. The musicians are […]
Let me set the scene – the jazz sextet were intimately set up in a corner of the room, candlelit tables seated the students on the main floor and the stage had been converted into a raised seating area. The lights were low and the atmosphere thick, and everyone was treated to Friday night gig, […]
The taster sessions have been both informative and challenging. The Jazz session involved modes, jazz notation and improvisation, which meant we had to think on the spot and remember the notes and patterns. The film taster was also done under time and so we had a limited period in which to compose a solo cello […]
I have really enjoyed the taster sessions, simply because they offer us as composers the opportunity to experience different styles and methods of composing. They really broaden your knowledge and open your mind to new ideas at the start of the week! In the jazz taster sessions, we learned about improvising in various modes, alongside […]
After a thrilling few days we have now completed our compositions, and are excited to hear them played in the forthcoming days. However that is only the icing on the cake to such a great week. A highlight of ours has been the intriguing guest speaker talking about gramophones last night. He captivated us all […]
Day 2 in pictures: the morning @soundandmusic #SAMsummer16 https://t.co/yPXL4xC4u3 pic.twitter.com/17bIiOdHDF — Sam Summer (@samsummeruk) August 1, 2016 This week I am King Of Beatbox working with young composers alongside @juicevocal at the @samsummeruk #SAMsummer16 pic.twitter.com/mXarm1Xse6 — MaJiKer (@MaJiKer) August 1, 2016 Hope everyones having a brilliant time @samsummeruk #SAMsummer16 gutted I couldn't be there this […]
Well – what a week! I’ve been on the Jazz course at the Sound and Music Summer School and I have loved every moment of it. I found working with composers, artists and tutors truly inspiring! I have learnt such a lot in such a small space of time. Issie and the musicians were all […]
Written by Joshua. A student on the Jazz course Despite being assigned to the Jazz group I chose and unorthodox composition route in which I merged contemporary classical ideas with Jazz thus creating a unique sound. My composition used Aleatoric influences from Schoenburg, Boulez and Dai Fujikura as well as jazz influences from a number […]
As promised in yesterday’s post, today was an absolute marathon. I thought it would be an idea to look at how the day unfolded through the eyes of the Engineers today. (There will be some student posts about the day coming very soon!) For the three of us (Matti, Ieva and I) it kicked off early. […]
It’s the last full day of composing for some and that has meant that many are going into overdrive mode to get everything finished. There’s a hushed air of concentration across the Purcell School and the IT suite has been full to bursting with composers using sibelius, perfecting their scores, making final adjustments and printing […]
This is my second time at the SaM summer school, and looking back, I can safely say that I’ve improved in many ways, not only in a practical sense, but also in terms of attitude.
One of the challenges I’ve found is writing a finished piece to a deadline; my first piece had the makings of a completed composition, but lacked a strong identity, something that I feel I’ve captured in this years composition. It helped that between both summer schools I’ve found a sort of ground I can stand on, and not feel insecure about my material or people’s opinion of it.
On a more practical note (like concert C), I have noticed that composing away from the instruments and Sibelius does lead to both more natural and/or ambitious ideas. I feel it is also important to look at your material as a musician, and not just as a composer.
This years composition, and other pieces I have played and/or composed has also led me to believe that material that has been forced, or made to impress people, never really sounds as stuff that I could hear or feel before I put it on paper.
Can I also just say that this year was so rad and inspiring!
Thanks
samsummer.uk 