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Residencies & Clinics I very much enjoy working with learners of all ages on topics relating to composition and string playing, drawing on my background in composition, string pedagogy and gifted education. This page presents information about some of the types of residencies and clinics I've been involved with and some examples of current projects. If you are interested in any of these programs and would like to learn more about how to arrange such a visit, please write with your ideas and any questions you may have (see email link at the bottome of this page), as I always enjoy discussing this process. *How (and Why) to Incorporate Composing into String Teaching* I've presented ideas and information on this important topic in a variety of formats, ranging from a short talk -- as a panelist at the 2006 Marvin Rabin String Pedagogy Symposium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison -- to a full In Service, including a demonstration of real-time composing by middle school orchestra students -- for the Clark County (Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada) School District's String Orchestra teachers (all the teachers composed, too) -- to a one-week course for string teachers -- at the National String Workshop (University of Wisconsin-Madison), among other venues. In all these settings I try to make the case that composition is not only a component of the National Standards we all seek to follow, but also a powerful tool for improving students' fluency, literacy, expressivity and musical independence. There are some easy steps that will allow you to routinely include composition activities, from beginning instruction onward, using very little time and in a way that includes every student. Just as Creative Writing is now understood to be a crucial component of any effective Reading Education program, so too is it essential that students engage in creative application of the musical notation symbols they are learning as they progress in their studies. And, of course, once they start composing they may not want to stop, and we all benefit from the results. Composer Residencies with Young Orchestras *Iowa Spring* In fall of 2003, I was commissioned by the West Des Moines Public Schools to compose a new piece for a district string orchestra -- about 150 young string players. I kept in touch with their teachers, particularly Jeanne Caldwell and Michelle Senger, who provided me with some ideas provided by students, and tried to employ these in composing the piece. In April, I had the pleasure of travelling to West Des Moines, rehearsing with the students, and conducting the premiere. This piece is a 2006 publication by Latham Music, Ltd.. Since its appearance in February, 2006, it has been selected for performance at the Texas Music Educators conference, the 2006 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and was named an "Editor's Choice" selection by J. W. Pepper. The Des Moines Register ran a feature article on this event, which includes comments on the process and the music by students and teachers. To read, click on Des Moines Register article (Choose "Back" on your browser to return to this web site.) *Middleton, Wisconsin, High School Orchestra* This year the Middleton, Wisconsin , High School Orchestra arranged for me to visit at several points in the year so that they and I can go through the process of creating a new composition for premiere in May. I visited them twice, so far: first, in October, to share some of my music with them and work with them on writing their own music. Then, in January, I took some sketches I'd made of music created out of themes and rhythms that some students had contributed to the process. Since then I've completed the composition, *The glacier stopped here...* (the title refers to the remarkable geological history of this region of Wisconsin; the last glacier extended right up to the edge of the present-day Middleton School District, creating a unique topology). I've just sent them materials so they can begin to rehearse. Finally, I'll return in May for more rehearsing and conduct the premiere (May 26, in Middleton's beautiful new Performing Arts Center). You can find MIDI demos of this piece (MP3 and WMA formats) on the "For Students and Teachers" page of this web site. *Oregon, Wisconsin, High School Composers* Since I'll be traveling from Las Vegas to Middleton, Wisconsin several times this year for the residency/commission described above, I'm very lucky to be able to also work with high school composers in another nearby district during each of these trips. The Oregon School District has long had an outstanding orchestra program, headed by Oregon High School Orchestra director Leyla Sanyer. One of the many great aspects of this program is the incorporation of original student composition into instrumental music instruction at every level of study. At the high school level, student composers have the opportunity to study composition as a course. I very much look forward to several visits to this class as students pusue a year long project. As above, more details will be posted as they become available. *Georgia All State Orchestra* I am also very grateful to be the guest of the Georgia Music Educators Association at the GMEA All State Festical in March 3-5, 2005. I'll be traveling to Savannah, Georgia, and assisting Dr. Louis Bergoni, conductor of the All State Orchestra, in his preparation of my composition, In the Moment's Light.
Send an email to Paul Seitz.	Return to HOME PAGE

Residencies & Clinics

I very much enjoy working with learners of all ages on topics relating to composition and string playing, drawing on my background in composition, string pedagogy and gifted education. This page presents information about some of the types of residencies and clinics I've been involved with and some examples of current projects. If you are interested in any of these programs and would like to learn more about how to arrange such a visit, please write with your ideas and any questions you may have (see email link at the bottome of this page), as I always enjoy discussing this process.

How (and Why) to Incorporate Composing into String Teaching

I've presented ideas and information on this important topic in a variety of formats, ranging from a short talk -- as a panelist at the 2006 Marvin Rabin String Pedagogy Symposium at the University of Wisconsin-Madison -- to a full In Service, including a demonstration of real-time composing by middle school orchestra students -- for the Clark County (Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada) School District's String Orchestra teachers (all the teachers composed, too) -- to a one-week course for string teachers -- at the National String Workshop (University of Wisconsin-Madison), among other venues. In all these settings I try to make the case that composition is not only a component of the National Standards we all seek to follow, but also a powerful tool for improving students' fluency, literacy, expressivity and musical independence. There are some easy steps that will allow you to routinely include composition activities, from beginning instruction onward, using very little time and in a way that includes every student. Just as Creative Writing is now understood to be a crucial component of any effective Reading Education program, so too is it essential that students engage in creative application of the musical notation symbols they are learning as they progress in their studies. And, of course, once they start composing they may not want to stop, and we all benefit from the results.

Composer Residencies with Young Orchestras

Iowa Spring

In fall of 2003, I was commissioned by the West Des Moines Public Schools to compose a new piece for a district string orchestra -- about 150 young string players. I kept in touch with their teachers, particularly Jeanne Caldwell and Michelle Senger, who provided me with some ideas provided by students, and tried to employ these in composing the piece. In April, I had the pleasure of travelling to West Des Moines, rehearsing with the students, and conducting the premiere. This piece is a 2006 publication by Latham Music, Ltd.. Since its appearance in February, 2006, it has been selected for performance at the Texas Music Educators conference, the 2006 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and was named an "Editor's Choice" selection by J. W. Pepper. The Des Moines Register ran a feature article on this event, which includes comments on the process and the music by students and teachers. To read, click on Des Moines Register article (Choose "Back" on your browser to return to this web site.)

Middleton, Wisconsin, High School Orchestra

This year the Middleton, Wisconsin , High School Orchestra arranged for me to visit at several points in the year so that they and I can go through the process of creating a new composition for premiere in May. I visited them twice, so far: first, in October, to share some of my music with them and work with them on writing their own music. Then, in January, I took some sketches I'd made of music created out of themes and rhythms that some students had contributed to the process. Since then I've completed the composition, The glacier stopped here... (the title refers to the remarkable geological history of this region of Wisconsin; the last glacier extended right up to the edge of the present-day Middleton School District, creating a unique topology). I've just sent them materials so they can begin to rehearse. Finally, I'll return in May for more rehearsing and conduct the premiere (May 26, in Middleton's beautiful new Performing Arts Center). You can find MIDI demos of this piece (MP3 and WMA formats) on the "For Students and Teachers" page of this web site.

Oregon, Wisconsin, High School Composers

Since I'll be traveling from Las Vegas to Middleton, Wisconsin several times this year for the residency/commission described above, I'm very lucky to be able to also work with high school composers in another nearby district during each of these trips. The Oregon School District has long had an outstanding orchestra program, headed by Oregon High School Orchestra director Leyla Sanyer. One of the many great aspects of this program is the incorporation of original student composition into instrumental music instruction at every level of study. At the high school level, student composers have the opportunity to study composition as a course. I very much look forward to several visits to this class as students pusue a year long project. As above, more details will be posted as they become available.

Georgia All State Orchestra

I am also very grateful to be the guest of the Georgia Music Educators Association at the GMEA All State Festical in March 3-5, 2005. I'll be traveling to Savannah, Georgia, and assisting Dr. Louis Bergoni, conductor of the All State Orchestra, in his preparation of my composition, In the Moment's Light.

Send an email to Paul Seitz.

Return to HOME PAGE

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