EDUCATION REPORT: SUMMER INSTITUTE 2018
This year’s institute broke new ground in terms of how we can expand the scope of the learning experience for our students. In particular, we explored the world of mixed choral music with a solo obligato instrument. In addition to the return of our cherished colleague, Dr. Jeffrey Parola (who was unable to join in the previous year due to a personal commitment), we welcomed Mr. Nathan Plante, a virtuoso trumpeter, composer, and music publisher (Edition Plante) based in Berlin. Nathan was the perfect person to explore the new world of choral collaboration within an educational environment. He brings an openness to and fluency with New Music and extended techniques, but also in-depth knowledge of the publishing industry, having started his imprint, become a seasoned editor, and regularly interacting with numerous boundary-pushing composers from around the world. In short, his suggestions and offerings to our students made a pivotal impact on what they could add to the works this year. These yielded a particularly refreshing and exciting batch of new choral music. At the same time, all of the students expressed that they not only felt encouraged by his work with them but also a deep sense of kinship and empathy coming from him. We can’t wait to welcome him back again in the future! Also joining the faculty for the first time this year was Dr. David Conte of The San Francisco Conservatory of Music. One of the last Fulbright Scholars to have the opportunity to live in Paris and study privately with the inimitable Nadia Boulanger, David brings over four decades of experience and connection with the choral music world to the table. He sat in on reading sessions, offering his editorial feedback to the composers, and also gave a compelling masterclass to the entire student group. We
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