"It has been a long time since I was reluctant to leave the room during a workshop for fear of missing something"... ...RCM 2005

The Master Class in Elemental Music is Steve Calantropio's attempt to provide a meaningful 30 hour, post level III experience for Orff Schulwerk students seeking a deeper understanding of elemental music. Class size is limited, which allows participants to be actively engaged and supported in their daily work. The course is organized around the original Schulwek materials of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman; the five Music for Children volumes edited by Margaret Murray and the supplemental editions that eleborate the concepts found in the volumes themselves. The goal of the course is to provide participants with a working knowledge of this material along with an understanding that facility with the musical concepts, styles and compositional tehniques found in the materials will eventually lead to a renewed interest in creating works in elemental style.

"I was being challenged at every turn but never felt I couldn’t handle it” UST... 2003

A typical 6 hour day might begin with an extended experience in improvisation based on a particular music concept, explored through movement,and other elemental medai. This is followed by the performance of an Orff/Keetman example using the same concepts. Process teaching is still the goal and students become much more alert to the possibilities of approaching this material in a sequential way with younger students. Next, analysis of similar examples is done directly in the student's personal volume , giving a usuable, ready resource for future lessons. Once elemental styles and concepts are identified, students are asked to create an original work , either as a class, in small groups or as individuals. Assignments elaborate the work done in class and are evaluated and performed by the group as time permits.

"The course unlocked my ability to develop a philosophy for my teaching" ... UST 2001

Part of each day is also spent in listening and analysis of Art music examples that mirror and clarify the elemental stream of music. The days work includes a recorder ensemble session using materials that elaborate the connections between art music and elemental music.

"..a fine musician and tremendous knowledge of the subject. "... CCSU 1994

The Master Class in Elemental Music has been presented 18 times in past years and continues to grow in popularity. It provides a connective experience that brings the materials learned in all three previous levels into sharper focus while modeling process oriented approaches to working with both children and adult music students

"Excellent process...understandable and attainable." ...UST 1996

"The results of the course have far surpassed my expectations". ...UST 1996

"Very satisfied...it gave me a new way to understand elemental music ." ...UST 2001

E-mail Steve; CLICK HERE

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