Category Archives for "News"

Nov 30

A Bit on Music Education in the Age of Distance Learning

By Lars Rosager | Music , News

Textual Chordophonics

11/29/2020

 

In light of the extensive degree to which history has demonstrated music’s potential for interdisciplinary and cultural enrichment, music education in schools today does not find itself in as central a position as one might hope; so it is important that distance learning not result in more intensely marginalized music programs. The primary setback is technological; most video-conferencing applications are not conducive to music as a synchronized and collectively performative activity. But let us not succumb to this obstacle, instead remembering that students’ progress in Music is still very much a reality. Below I reference a few local examples and offer my brief two cents on the matter.

Before COVID-19, the Santa Rosa Symphony’s educational outreach program Simply Strings was a bowed-string–instrument ensemble program that met two hours a day, five days a week. It is now a half-hour music-appreciation class once a week for third-grade students only. While this is objectively disappointing, it is certainly good news to hear that the same Symphony’s in-school performance program offers videos of each instrument family of the orchestra in action. Other examples of audio and instructional outlines being distributed to local schools is, relative to an ensemble class, quite easy to continue unhindered.

Petaluma High School has converted ensembles into private-lesson sessions over video call. In terms of an effort to preserve the participatory aspect, this seems like a good thing. However, the problem of asynchronicity remains. It is not hopeless though. Let us celebrate the fact that the synchronized, interactive side of music is not an altogether lost cause in this day and age. Some have been able to play live to a certain degree of success. In terms of the educational process and how performance can help it along, recordings may be more help than meets the eye.

Recordings alone are not the answer, but they do play a central role in keeping performative musical skills progressing. The instructor must be crystal clear with regard to the purpose of the recording. Is it a play-along track? An accompaniment part or lead part, to one of which the student provides the other? A call and response? The practicality of the recording must be explained and exemplified with the lesson during which the coming week’s practice is assigned.

The follow-up to the previous week’s instruction must consist of a check-in on how the student has been employing the recording. This module is quite useful in situations where in-person instruction is a reality as well. With a guiding recording particular to the current projects in hand, the student is able to create music in a quite authentic sense, and instructors have a way of holding their pupils to account on exactly what they expect them work on. There is much more to be said about how one might steer music education toward or away from current trends and limitations, but harnessing the power of a useful practice recording can make a significant difference in filling the performance void that, these days, opens all too easily.

 

 

Dec 22

Single Added to Store, Samples Available

By Lars Rosager | News

PictureTextual Chordophonics
December 22, 2019

Owing to the fact that I am currently continuing current work on more longterm recording and writing projects, I have decided to make available some past material now. “Removido” is a brief composition for voice and seven-string guitar, an up-tempo and emotionally charged piece. The mp3 of “Removido” is available through the Store section of this website for $2.00.

In this post, I am offering the five movements of my first guitar sonata, perhaps better titled a sonatina because the movements are rather short. This music is included on Harmony Lives/Melodiboken, among various other styles. The mp3s are available for free download below. Thanks!!!

#textualchordophonics
#casamontalvoguitars
#thomastikinfeldstrings

guitar_sonata_no._1_-_1st_mvmt..mp3
File Size: 4704 kb
File Type: mp3

Download File


guitar_sonata_no._1_-_2nd_mvmt..mp3
File Size: 1916 kb
File Type: mp3

Download File


guitar_sonata_no._1_-_3rd_mvmt..mp3
File Size: 445 kb
File Type: mp3

Download File


guitar_sonata_no._1_-_4th_mvmt..mp3
File Size: 1920 kb
File Type: mp3

Download File


guitar_sonata_no._1_-_5th_mvmt..mp3
File Size: 1804 kb
File Type: mp3

Download File


Oct 23

Performance this Friday

By Lars Rosager | News

Picture Textual Chordophonics
October 23, 2019

I’m happy to share news that I will be singing and playing this Friday, October 25, at 6:30 pm at the Petaluma Arts Center. The event is intended to support local artists. Admission is $10.00. For more information, click here. Thanks so much!

#textualchordophonics
#casamontalvoguitars
​#thomastikinfeldstrings


Sep 22

Performance Today, 09/22/2019

By Lars Rosager | News

PictureDon’t forget about my performance at the Petaluma Arts Center this evening! I am gearing up by listening to Earth, Wind & Fire as well as to Hopkinson Smith. Quite the contrast, but quite the combination! Take care.

#textualchordophonics
#casamontalvoguitars
​#thomastikinfeldstrings

Sep 21

Performance Tomorrow!

By Lars Rosager | News

Just a quick reminder that I will be performing tomorrow at the Petaluma Arts Center. I plan to share some original stylings based on traditional Spanish guitar forms from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. See the Performance Schedule section of this site for more information. Thanks!!! #casamontalvoguitars
#thomastikinfeldstrings
​#textualchordophonics Picture

09/22/2019 Upcoming Performance!

By Lars Rosager | News

I will be playing solo seven-string guitar at the Petaluma Arts Center for a fundraising event this Sunday, September 22, 2019. Please come support an important local arts foundation!

Also, I will be releasing some new material influenced by hip-hop styles. Percussionist Alex Shapiro-Romano will be doing most of the production work with samples of my music. For now, please enjoy an audio sample of some music by me, Alex, and the inimitable Smars of San Francisco Bay Area renown. Let it be known that any similarity to the recent hit “Havana” is purely coincidental! We recorded this some five years ago . . .

Thanks!

groove.mp3
File Size: 1518 kb
File Type: mp3

Download File


#casamontalvoguitars
#thomastikinfeldstrings
​#textualchordophonics

Jan 31

Live Indian Classical Music at Renew Yoga 03/13/2019

By Lars Rosager | News

Picture Textual Chordophonics
January 31, 2019

Hi, everyone. I’m letting you know I will be providing live Indian classical music at Renew Yoga in Petaluma, CA, USA for the 5:30–6:45 pm class on Wednesday March 13, 2019. The class is comprised of Heated Vinyasa with Pamela Maldonado and Healing Touch with Kathleen Callahan. Please get in touch with me if you have questions about the music I will be playing.

Somewhat relatedly, I will be starting a weekly thirty-minute live-video performance this Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 7:30 pm. The stream will be broadcast on the YouTube channel El Ciar. The material I am planning to share this Sunday will be re-invented at the yoga class. Thanks so much!

#textualchordophonics

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