|
.
. Stick
seminars
I’ve
been playing Chapman Stick
for about six years now and over the
years I’ve gotten
a lot out of going to Stick seminars. There are many
benefits to attending
a seminar; learning technique, interacting with other
Stick players, and
getting to hear a lot of music played on the Stick.
The seminars also
happen to be a lot of fun!
I’ve been fortunate
to be able to attend quite a few seminars. The events
I’ve attended have
all been in North America and include the annual
Vancouver event,
the Interlochen workshop, Free
Hands Academy,
the Northeast Stick
Seminar, and a Stick camp in Virginia.
The attendance at
these has ranged from a dozen to about forty.
The format for seminars
can vary quite a bit. Some have a very organized
schedule with specific
programs. Some are more open, with specific
workshops and time
for interacting with fellow attendees. Typically, an
event will have
one or more experienced or professional Stick players or
teachers. They’ll
generally lead the workshops as well as provide the
foundation for what
topics are covered. Seminars are designed to accommodate all levels of
players and organizers adapt the topics and
format to suit the
specific attendees.
Since the format
can change, there are opportunities to try a variety of
different types
of classes or workshops. There are often private lessons
offering one-on-one
instruction, small group sessions covering specific
topics, and larger
workshops to go over broader concepts. It’s typical to
see sessions that
are geared to various levels, with beginners or more
experienced players
covering different techniques and concepts.
There’s usually
no set definition as to what constitutes a “level” of playing,
attendees are free
to choose what they attend. There are also often
master classes and
opportunities to play for the group and get feedback.
Most seminars include
one or more “Stick Night” concerts and some
evenings where attendees
have opportunities to play live. There are
often opportunities
to develop pieces with fellow attendees in ensembles.
Some also offer
tech setup sessions and specific time to ask questions.
Many seminars now
also have a time to Skype with Emmett, also a great
opportunity to ask
questions. One of the best parts of seminars is the
opportunity to meet
and interact with other Stick players. This is especially
true of residential
seminars, since even meal times are opportunities to
talk with fellow
Stickists.
I attended my first
Stick seminar after I’d been playing about a year. It gave
me an opportunity
to meet fellow Stick players, learn some new techniques,
and gave me an opportunity
to play for both the group (to get feedback)
and for the public.
I’m very appreciative of the people who organize the
seminars, it’s a
lot of work to put these together. Many of the seminars
are also repeating
events, annually or at some other interval.
If you’re looking
for a Stick event, the Stick
Enterprises website main
page lists upcoming
events. Events are also often posted to Stick-specific
forums such as Stickist.com.
Many of the recurring events have their own
site as well: Vancouver,
Interlochen, and Free
Hands Academy.
I try to work in
seminars to my vacation plans, it gives me a chance
to attend a seminar
and explore a place I might not have been to
yet - musically
and geographically. I really enjoy being with like-minded
Stick players and
hearing them play.
.
Hope to see you
at a seminar!
.
Thanks Claire for
sharing experiences about seminars in North America.
Epakta |
|
Free Hands Academy event in 2014
Tony Levin, Emmett Chapman, Steve
Adelson, Greg Howard, Bob Culbertson,
Dale Ladouceur, Kevin Keith, Larry
Tuttle, Don Schiff, Gary Jibilian and more ...
*
El
autor del articulo se reserva el derecho de autorización de ser
publicado en cualquier otro medio |
 |
