Blog

Day of Improvisation
Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018
10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

Join us for this wonderful Music for People satellite workshop, which provides a day of creative music-making that is inviting and artistically rich. Whether you are a professional musician, amateur, teacher, or student; a dancer, actor, or community member interested in exploring something new, you will have a chance to recharge your creative spirit while stepping into a community that honors deep listening and connection. Elective sessions on movement, voice, facilitation, drumming, spoken word, chamber music, and more will be included. At 5:00 p.m., we will create an improvised concert together.

Facilitators include both out-of-town guest facilitators and local talent: Tim Simmons, Todd Rogers, Jeffrey Mehr, Alina Plourde, Jessica King, Jimbo Talbot, Laura Enslin, and Tanner Efinger. The workshop and final concert take place in the music department (Academic II building) at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, NY.

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts. Because it is grant-supported, this event is offered free of charge. Lunch will be available for purchase at the on-campus Gordon Student Center, although weekend food options are limited. You may prefer to pack your own lunch.

To sign up, please email Alina Plourde at alinaoboe@yahoo.com with your name, email, phone number, approximate level of musical experience, and instrument (if applicable). We have pianos and a variety of percussion instruments available to share, and we will be using voices as well. No prior experience required!

Please register by August 25 if possible. We can always fit a few more in at the last minute, but it helps us plan the best session schedule if most people register in advance.

2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018, Onondaga Community College recital hall, Academic II building.  Free of charge.

Guest artist David Rudge, violin, joins the New Leaf Ensemble in a concert mainly featuring music improvised on the spot based on audience input and ideas.  Come enjoy this unique opportunity to hear classical musicians creating music in the moment.  The concert will be followed by a free workshop on improvisation from 3:30-5:30.

3:30-5:30 p.m., Saturday, March 10, 2018, Onondaga Community College recital hall, Academic II building.  Free of charge.

Come join the New Leaf Ensemble and guest facilitator David Rudge for an afternoon workshop in improvisation.  Musicians from all styles and genres of music, and at all levels of experience are welcome.

Please register for the workshop by emailing Alina at alinaoboe@yahoo.com with your name, email, phone number, instrument (or voice), and level of experience (beginner/intermediate/advanced/professional).  We look forward to seeing you on March 10th!

2017 was a fantastic year, with our first full day workshop in collaboration with Music for People! Thanks to all of our participants and leaders, and to CNY Arts for making it all possible.

Be on the lookout for news about 2018s performances and workshops. Alina is continuing to host Syracuse Improv Meetups, and we’re looking forward to performances at Onondaga Public Libraries throughout the year.

If you would like to host us, please send an email! The music we play will be unique to your event.

New Leaf is already planning for 2017. Would you like us to come to your school, community center, performing space e of worship? If so, drop us a line!