Using repertoire as a foundation, this musically interactive session will provide practical, accessible ideas for teaching improvisation in a band or orchestra setting. Through improvisation, students and teachers will improve listening skills, gain deeper understanding of literature, and play with better intonation and rhythm. These techniques are effective in rehearsal and in performance and are accessible to any music director.
Christopher Azzara
- Biographical Information
Pianist, arranger, author, and educator Christopher Azzara has made important contributions to advancing the understanding of creativity and improvisation in the music learning process. As an innovator in the area of music teaching and learning, Dr. Azzara is professor and chair of music education and affiliate faculty of jazz studies and contemporary media at the Eastman School of Music. Teaching and performing internationally, he is the author of numerous articles and books, including Developing Musicianship through Improvisation, Creativity in Improvisation, and Jump Right In: The Instrumental Series, as well as arrangements for instrumental and vocal ensembles. His research and publications concern meaningful relationships among listening, creating, improvising, reading, composing, and analyzing music in vocal and instrumental settings.