Customizable Composition Residencies, Tailored to You and Your Ensemble

Teaching music students through a composer residency is one of my favorite parts of my work. I love collaborating with other musicians, and enjoy traveling to schools to talk about music, coach rehearsals, share a behind-the-scenes look at my creative process, and answer questions. 

A residency may be a dress rehearsal and concert, a one-day workshop, or a 2- to 4-day series of events. With the technology we have available to us today, it might also mean jumping on Zoom for a 45- or 60-minute virtual session (read more about that here).

Each residency is unique and I work with you to customize the experience for your students and tailor it to your school.

I’ve collaborated with high schools, colleges, community ensembles, worked with wind bands, choirs, composition students, saxophone students, and orchestras, and taught guest lectures in entrepreneurship, music business, and music theory classes.

I look forward to hearing your ideas for what a residency could look like and creating something unique and meaningful for your school.

What does a residency usually include?

It varies depending on the host and their needs. I’m always open to new ideas, so feel free to make suggestions! To give you an idea of what’s possible, here are a few things I’ve done in the past:

WIND BAND

• Coach wind ensemble or concert band as they rehearse and perform my music

• Interact with students, answer questions, and share my experiences

• Speak to the audience at the performance

COMPOSITION

• Meet with composition students, one-on-one or in a group setting to review student works or share some of my own experience

• Offer musical advice and career advising

ENTREPRENEURSHIP / MUSIC BUSINESS

• Speak to classes and/or groups about my experience as a music entrepreneur and the skills I use to run my business as a freelance composer and music publisher

• Answer questions about music careers and how to create a sustainable career in music

• Share advice and tips that I offer my students at the Eastman School of Music

CHOIR

• Coach choirs as they rehearse my music

• Provide insight into my compositional process and explain my interpretation of the text

VOCAL / INSTRUMENTAL

• Coach vocalists and instrumentalists as they rehearse and perform my music

Why should I consider planning a residency?

Residencies provide a valuable opportunity for collaboration and conversation about new music, performance, and music entrepreneurship among both faculty and students. Residencies also add value to your community through opportunities to engage with local schools, businesses, and concert audience members. 

Bottom line: Residencies help create a richer musical experience for all involved.