Improvisation Examples and Timeline

In preparation for the International Society for Improvised Music conference in Switzerland next week and in advance of my article in the August edition of The Choral Journal, I will link some improvisation samples below.

Timeline of Improvisation at UNCG:

Fall 2012 – Improvisation with small groups in conducting classes.

Spring 2013 - Improvisation with The Josquin Project. Development of improvisation sequence.

Fall 2013 – Introduction of sequence to large ensembles. Performance with groups of 4 or 5 singers improvising together. Programmed as part of a concert centered on play.

Spring 2014 – Continued growth. Improvisation in an extended performance with the Women’s Glee Club, juxtaposing chants of Hildegard von Bingen with free improvisation. University Chorale improvised in performance in response to segments of poetry. 

Fall 2014  - Improvisation in rehearsal. Greater freedom from all singers immediately. No improvisation in performance.

Spring 2015 – Mixing modes: University Chorale performance blending improvisation with written music of Randall Thompson. Incorporated instrumentalists, explored solo and small ensemble improvisation with large ensemble improvisation.

The structure of our improvisation was initially as follows. For examples, please click on the links.

Opening Improvisation

The Light of Stars

     Improvisation A

         Solo

         Trio

         Piano/Violin

         Quartet

         Ensemble

Two Worlds

     Improvisation B

        Solo

        Ensemble

        Piano/Violin

        Solo    

        Ensemble
The Happy Shore

In performance, the structure did not adhere strictly to the outline. The full performance will be available soon.