What's your learning style?
The idea behind Junior Composers is to challenge students to become self-aware and intentional about different problem-solving styles. There are many theories that put labels on the ways we learn, think and create.
Concrete Sequential or Abstract Sequential
For instance, abstract sequential learners work best when they have reference materials and expert sources to delve into as they work. They need time to explore their ideas and work systematically in seclusion.
Sometimes stubborn, but always sure of themselves, AS composers like to work within traditional forms and procedures. Concrete sequential folks love the hours of quiet, orderly work using precise, standardized notational norms. If you work best in isolation but also prefer to check-in at regular intervals during your process to see if your work is actually making sense, you are probably CS. Most importantly, you like to know how things work. You're likely to know the answer to the question, "How did Arnold Schoenberg do that?"
If you recognize yourself in these two work styles, you might especially like one of our programs: the Workshop is for 16 students who meet once a month for three-hour sessions from September through June. You will learn how to compose for orchestra in partnership with members of the professional orchestra, the Minnesota Sinfonia. You can share your work and chat online with other composers during our regularly scheduled forums. and we will provide as many mountains of material and expert texts as you can digest on the subject of composing for the orchestra. We'll start with Walter Piston's book, Orchestration.
Concrete Random or Abstract Random
Have you ever met someone whose ideas get better when they have a partner they can use as a sounding-board? These problem-solvers are called abstract random learners. They often need social time in balance with work time. They hate grades only a little more than when accused of goofing off. If you're abstract random, you are inspired to interpret other art or ideas in your work. Concrete random folks are another interesting breed. They are often self-directed and create unexpected answers when given unimaginative prompts. They will putter as they create and they often take a dare to prove a point. Brain-storming is a frequent and comfortable tool for CRs.
The creative ferment and inspiration needed by these kinds of artists can be found in our summer camps: the Studio (two weeks) and the Institute (one week). Both programs are residential summer music camps held in mid-July. In the course of the camps, you will conceive, compose, notate, read, revise, rehearse and premiere a new work along with dozens of other composers.This year, you will also have the opportunity to submit a work for a reading by the professional orchestra, the Minnesota Sinfonia.
But do you really only have one working style? If you are like any of the other young composers participating in our programs, you may find that you have the capacity and flexibility to intentionally change your creative process to meet the challenges and circumstances in front of you. Can you recognize your preferred working style? Do you think we can each be creative in all four styles that I've described here? Which type best describes your favorite composer's working style?
