2026 Collaborative Performances Performance Design and Stage Production - Ruth Debrot Ensemble members embody the spirit of collaboration, versatility, and musical excellence. Whether performing at live concerts, or on video, ensemble members work as a team to bring energy, creativity, and high-energy professionalism to the stage. Ensemble members: -Sing background vocals as needed· -Assist with the development and execution of choreography/staging -Contribute to the overall aesthetic and energy of the performance -Learn and perform vocals and movement DESCRIPTION: Students who attend this workshop will work collaboratively to create an original performance of “Uptown Funk,” by Bruno Mars. Groups of students will develop and execute choreography/staging as background dancers, background singers, sound engineers (to be sure that everyone is heard), and stage designers.
Beat Lab - Nicholas Quigley Music technology is fun because it lets you become a music maker and mix all sorts of cool sounds, beats, and effects to create a song that is totally unique to you. It's important because it teaches you about the technology that makes almost all the modern music we listen to, giving you an awesome new way to understand music. Plus, learning these tools means you can share your original musical ideas with friends and even the world, letting your creativity shine! Students will: -Learn the basics of rhythm and how to use virtual drum machines to create beats that make you move. -Layer loops and synths to boost a song’s impact. -Add effects and mix all your parts together using an online music app (DAW).DESCRIPTION: Students who attend this workshop will start making their own awesome music in the Beat Lab! You'll learn the basics of music technology and use cool online music apps (called DAWs) to create a totally original track from scratch. No experience is necessary—just bring your creativity and get ready to drop some fresh beats! Writer’s Room - Mary Snow Songwriters are vital members of our community because they preserve memories and act as everyday storytellers. We paint our ideas through words, melody, harmony, and rhythm. In this workshop, students will: -Collaborate to create chord progressions and grooves for a group song -Work in small and large groups to write lyrics for our group song -Arrange our new composition into a work of art we can perform for our peersDESCRIPTION: Welcome to the Writers' Room! This workshop will provide students with space to learn about the songwriting process and work as a group to create and perform an original song! Pop Rocks! - Tom Westmoreland Ensemble members will join their forces to perform an original arrangement of the song “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Ensemble members will receive music ahead of time to prepare and the rehearsal process will include jamming together and creating an original arrangement! Ensemble members can include: -Singers & rappers -Rhythm section players: piano/keys, guitar, bass guitar, drum set, percussion -All melodic instruments: strings, brass, woodwinds, melodic percussion DESCRIPTION: Covering music is an important skill for popular musicians, and in this workshop ensemble members will put together a cover of “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Once we have the basics of the song down, we’ll also discuss ways to put our own unique spin on the song!
Loop, There It Is! - Lorenzo Sánchez-Gatt & Erin Ichimura Our favorite songs and viral TikTok hits are made up of smaller chunks. Learning these chunks by ear is possible with the tips and tricks we will cover. In this session we break down these sound bites and loop them into new and creative ideas. You will learn to: -Deconstruct a piece into component parts -Tricks and Tips for learning by ear -Layer elements from different songs to make new ideas DESCRIPTION: Ensemble members will use their voices or instruments to learn some of these sound bites and then create their own original song using these loops!
