June 19 - July 9, 2006

(application deadline: February 10, 2006)

LAWRENCE D. "BUTCH" MORRIS, composer

Butch Morris is internationally recognized as the preeminent theorist and practitioner in the evolution of the art of CONDUCTION®. He is one of the leading innovators in the confluence of jazz, new music, improvisation and contemporary classical music. Morris's work redefines the roles of composer, conductor, arranger and performer, and bridges the gap between the composer, interpreter and improviser. Since 1974, his career has been distinguished by unique and outstanding international contributions to television, film, theater, dance, radio, interdisciplinary collaborations, concerts and recordings. He has collaborated with countless musicians, choreographers, visual artists, writers, theater and film directors and performers. He has been composer/conductor in residence or visiting lecturer with numerous institutions, including; New York University, New York, The New School for Social Research, New York, Istanbul Bilgi University, Istanbul, Turkey, Mills College, Oakland, California, University of Westminster, London, Orchestra della Toscana, Florence Italy, Institut for Neue Musik, Berlin Germany, Mito Museum, Mito, Japan. Morris lives in New York City.

* For more information on Butch Morris and CONDUCTION, please visit www.conduction.us

Residency Statement

CONDUCTION (conducted improvisation/interpretation), is a vocabulary of ideographic signs and gestures activated to modify or construct a real-time musical arrangement or composition. Each sign and gesture transmits generative information for interpretation by the individual and the collective, to provide instantaneous possibilities for altering or initiating harmony, melody, rhythm, articulation, phrasing, or form.

The Conduction workshop will concentrate on the creative rendering and mobilization of the Conduction Vocabulary as 'New Social Logic'. The workshop will focus on performance (new collective and interpersonal working relationships), discussion, analysis, listening, observation and growth of our own work and practical application (each participant will conduct the ensemble if he or she so chooses). Composers and conductors are encouraged to participate in the ensemble as an instrumentalist to get a first hand view of 'how and why' the concepts of musicianship, composition and conducting can be reevaluated.

The workshop stresses ensemble 'team play,' which allows each individual the opportunity to participate in the overall construction of compositional development. It enhances the ensemble's interpretive skills by strengthening each musician's knowledge of composition, orchestration, arrangement, improvisation and interpretation by elaborating on the decision-making process.
Conduction provides an excellent opportunity for all musicians to get a glimpse into what has been described as 'curious, challenging, demanding, rewarding and fun'.

Application Requirements

It is not necessary that the musician be an improviser, however it is necessary that he/she is able to take and interpret direction, have command of his/her instrument and be strong confident players/composers/interpreters interested in developing new requirements, skills of perception and enhancing the ensemble intellect.

Prospective Associates should submit a sound recording (CD or cassette, but not DVD) of three different 'playing' situations (example); solo, duo, trio (or other ensemble), a resume, a brief biography, and a statement (one paragraph to one page) reflecting the applicant's views and visions of the future of ensemble music.