The feedback from our Ellington/Stravinsky/Douglas/Turner Jump for Joy program has been extremely gratifying. The size of audiences and diversity of perspectives from those I knew or now have met was very special What has really interested me is that I heard alot of thoughtful responses to the risky cross genre programming as well as the premiered compositions. I had feared there might be a reaction of “well, here’s Turning Point’s pops show” – no reason to listen too deeply – but all the music was obviously heard very thoughtfully, and with appreciation for the craft and heartfelt musical inspiration involved in the evening’s compositions and arrangements.
I feel so fortunate to have played for these audiences in Vancouver and at the Langley Community Music School.
The program did offer TPE an opportunity to champion a Metro Vancouver resident, Brad Turner, who is amongst the musicians I am fortunate to work with regularly and whose musicality and musical perspective I look up to as being at the rarest and highest level. However, amazingly for us here in Vancouver, he doesn’t inhabit that level alone, as in the “jazz/improvisation” scene in Vancouver there are not only many truly outstanding performing musicians, but several other musician/composers whose influence on the scene has moved beyond the traditional genre borders.
One such composer is guitarist Tony Wilson - who resides mostly on Hornby Island – but is offering a May composition workshop in Vancouver that I would highly recommend if you’re interested in the type of musical statement TPE was going for in Jump for Joy. In the spirit of Turning Point’s Creating Composers program where we want to nurture creative expression through composition in all ages, I wanted to share news of this outstanding opportunity
Tony and those attending will be analyzing compositions by J.S Bach, Benjamin Britten, Oliver Messian, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman and his own compositions.
Through analyzing these pieces Tony will work with participants to learn Motif development, developing personal harmonic language, utilizing different time signatures, orchestration and arranging techniques. The workshop will cover instrument ranges and transposition, and most importantly, all participants will compose music.
It’s a four day composition workshop (tuition varies based on dates of attendance), dates are:
May 19th, 20th,26th and 27th noon- 5p.m. with a break.
1115 East Hastings (enter at 360 Glen Dr)
Please email Tony at tonewilson@yahoo.com or phone him at 250- 335-1685 if interested
Turning Point is pondering future programs that celebrate the mutual inspiration of composers considered from the jazz world and classical world – thank you for the feedback that is encouraging us to consider more compositions without borders!
- Jeremy
