OUTREACH & RESIDENCY
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Fireworks thrives on the opportunity to share its passion for new music with students of all ages. The group’s relaxed approach and rock-based repertoire make it the ideal ensemble to introduce younger audiences and students to classical music. Through residencies, workshops, and master classes, Fireworks has provided a doorway into contemporary and traditional classical music for hundreds of students. Fireworks’ diverse instrumentation (flute, saxophone, violin, cello, bass, piano, and percussion) allows for a wide variety of collaborative and interactive activities with students, ensembles, and audiences interested in learning more about Fireworks and new music. Below are a few example activities: |
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COMPOSER READINGS for college, graduate, or appropriate high-school studentcomposers Fireworks specializes in working with student composers. Working directly with the ensemble provides an invaluable opportunity for emerging composers to hear their works prepared and played by a professional new music ensemble. The group provides candid feedback to the composers on instrumentation, score and part writing, the etiquette of working with an ensemble in the “real world”, the music preparation process, and on using new compositional and instrumental techniques. In most cases, composers will receive complete reference recordings of their works performed by the ensemble. |
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MASTERCLASS for high-school through conservatory-level student ensembles In a master class setting, one or more Fireworks members will work with student ensembles or soloists by listening, coaching, and commenting on pieces performed by the students. Fireworks can suggest a work to focus on (if given the instrumentation of the ensemble) or the ensemble/soloists can perform their own selection(s). Members are also available to work one on one with students. If there is interest, sessions in composition & arranging, improvisation, performance presentation, the business of music, etc., are also available. |
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DISCOVER FIRE for young students ages 5-10 Fireworks helps young students explore the music around them. Fireworks broadens horizons with demonstrations of contemporary techniques, improvisation, special effects, and electronic modifications. Collaborative performances expose young audiences to the fun and excitement of the wide variety of today’s music. Fireworks’ varied instrumentation allows students to see and hear members of all the instrument families. |
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FIREWORKSHOP tailored for either middle- or high-school students Fireworks members lead a conversation centering on the newest developments in contemporary concert music. Fireworks performs a mini-concert demonstration or samples of different works to provide a focal point for how the contemporary concert repertoire has expanded to include new sounds, performance styles, and techniques that cross many musical genres including classical, rock, pop, jazz, experimental and more. Workshops can be tailored to involve student performers and/or ensembles. Workshops encourage open dialogue between the players and those in attendance. The 'conversational' approach offers all of the participants a chance to take part, to share in the discussion, and often to help to shape the direction in which the activity goes. The workshop format provides an excellent forum for introducing younger audiences to classical music and the broad range of new music. |
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CONVERSATION/DEMONSTRATION for general audiences Fireworks is well-known for its unusual approach to performance, which involves introducing each work with insights and anecdotes designed to create a relaxed atmosphere and to make its repertoire more accessible for new listeners. The conversation format is the ideal way to get to know more about Fireworks in an intimate setting, and to learn more about what the group does and about its repertoire and approach. Several members of the ensemble will create a relaxed, interactive discussion interspersed with performances of excerpts from the Fireworks catalog. The conversation can be designed as a prelude to a concert performance, or can be structured as a separate activity. Past topics have included “What's New in New Music?”, “Contemporary Performance Techniques and Practice”, “The New Music Scene as a Working Musician”, “The Commissioning Process and Working with the Composer”, and “Fireworks’ Repertoire and Performance Preparation”. Presenters are welcome to develop an appropriate topic and format with the ensemble. |
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