Creative Music Intensive is a two-week hybrid (in-person & online) program which will be held from August 3rd – 18th at Arts Letters & Numbers in 2024. The program is open to musicians working in any genre. Participants will be immersed in the creative process of making and performing music, exploring new approaches, and developing individual and collaborative works as creative artists.

This unique program will be directed and led by Michael Harrison, Music Program Director and recurring Visiting Artist of Arts Letters & Numbers, and co-taught by Bergamot Quartet, Aleksandra Vrebalov, Elliot Cole, Payton MacDonald, and David Gersten, Arts Letters & Numbers founding director. Each will host weekly classes on site and via Zoom, offer one-on-one private lessons, and facilitate potential collaborations with co-participants. The program will also feature performances by Terry Riley (online), filmmaker Bill Morrison, and faculty members.

Topics to be covered during group and private classes include composition and improvisation; composing for string quartet and percussion; Indian classical ragas, rhythms and techniques; performance, recording and career strategies; and developing interdisciplinary work and collaborations.

Participants are encouraged to come with creative projects they want to develop. There are spaces to work, and opportunities to collaborate, present, and receive technical and artistic support.

At the conclusion of the program, on August 17th, participants will present a public performance together (live onsite and online), in which they may perform or arrange for other musicians to perform their work. Participants will also have the opportunity to compose a new work for performance by Bergamot Quartet or Payton MacDonald. The participants’ concert, BQ’s concert and other events are opportunities to explore new performance practices and material in a safe and welcoming environment. The faculty will also present concerts of their work.