practical, one day workshops

compose yourself Subject Music composition Outline An opportunity to create an original piece of music through improvisation and experimentation. Explore medieval, traditional, world and contemporary music techniques. The composition will be inspired by Piers Plowman, a work written on the Malvern Hills by William Langland in the 14th century.

Andy Watts teaching on Compose Yourself University College Worcester, August 2003

Suitable for...

Suitable for adults and children. The last time the course was run, it was for 10 years old and upwards.

Workshop Leader

Andy Watts

Andy Watts - Andy is a freelance professional musician based in Worcestershire and working throughout the UK and abroad. He studied at Cambridge University and The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. During the 1980s he was musical director for the theatre company The Medieval Players. He is currently principal bassoon with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and leads The Carnival Band. With Maddy Prior and the Band he co-wrote and toured a song cycle based on the life of Worcester-born heroine Hannah Snell. He is an experienced music educator and recently led a workshop for 90 children at Symphony Hall, Birmingham.

Timing

Programme

This is an opportunity to create an original piece of music through improvisation and experimentation in a group. The inspiration for the composition will be "Piers Plowman"”, a work set on the Malvern hills, written by William Langland in the 14th century. The day can be structured as follows:

• Explore some basic improvisation/composition techniques
• Piers Plowman – exploring aspects of the poem
• Improvisation and composition
• Performance and recording of the new piece.

Participants on Compose Yourself, University College Worcester, August 2003

What participants say...

"I have had a wonderful day. Andy is an excellent leader – imaginative, instructive and encouraging."

"The course content was surprising but enjoyable."

"A good mixture of activities, which helped to breakdown initial nerves."

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