Education Programs
Strong advocates for the music of our time, Zeitgeist is also committed to nurturing the musicians and listeners of the music of tomorrow. Through school performances and interactive projects, at home and on tour, Zeitgeist offers K-12 students several different points of entry through which to encounter new music. Our activities include performance/discussions, improvisation workshops, composition workshops, and intensive coaching sessions on contemporary chamber works. Typically, we will work with a teacher to develop a program and activity suitable for his/her students. If you are interested in bringing Zeitgeist to your school, or would like to visit us at Studio Z, please contact ensemble member and education coordinator Pat O' Keefe at pat[at]zeitgeistnewmusic.org or ensemble member and managing director Heather Barringer at 651-755-1600 or heather[at]zeitgeistnewmusic.org.
Current Programs
Departure Point, held in partership with the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, is a 14-day intensive composition/performance workshop for music students. Students meet with Zeitgeist members for four hours each day at Studio Z. Our activities focus on the composition and rehearsal of two large works created by SPCPA students in collaboration with the members of Zeitgeist. These two works are created in a unique way. Students select two themes to serve as a framework for a large composition made up of smaller compositions. Students are split between the two themes, and each student is responsible for creating one element of our large work. These works can be completely composed, or they can contain degrees of improvisation. They can be notated, or taught to musicians by rote or via graphic representation. They can require the entire group’s performance participation, or they can be written for any subset of the group. Throughout the process, Zeitgeist, along with guest composer/improvisers from our community, perform works for the students to enhance and inspire the creative process. In the end, we have two works that contain the creative contribution of each student, created under a framework developed by everyone, and rehearsed collaboratively by students and Zeitgeist. The program culminates in 2 public performances by students and Zeitgeist.
Current Programs
Departure Point, held in partership with the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, is a 14-day intensive composition/performance workshop for music students. Students meet with Zeitgeist members for four hours each day at Studio Z. Our activities focus on the composition and rehearsal of two large works created by SPCPA students in collaboration with the members of Zeitgeist. These two works are created in a unique way. Students select two themes to serve as a framework for a large composition made up of smaller compositions. Students are split between the two themes, and each student is responsible for creating one element of our large work. These works can be completely composed, or they can contain degrees of improvisation. They can be notated, or taught to musicians by rote or via graphic representation. They can require the entire group’s performance participation, or they can be written for any subset of the group. Throughout the process, Zeitgeist, along with guest composer/improvisers from our community, perform works for the students to enhance and inspire the creative process. In the end, we have two works that contain the creative contribution of each student, created under a framework developed by everyone, and rehearsed collaboratively by students and Zeitgeist. The program culminates in 2 public performances by students and Zeitgeist.