Improvisation Pedagogy: Sustainable Musicianship
At last, a sustainable improvisation pedagogy methodology! For a lifetime of improvisation endeavors, learn how to recycle classic vocal and organ works from Gregorian chant to Lemmens’ Fanfare; Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier Preludes to Franck’s Prelude, Fugue, and Variations; and Argentinian tango to Ella Fitzgerald. This improvisation pedagogy method (detailed in a web-handout) provides tools for musicians to integrate improvisation into daily practice. As improvisation enhances listening, repertoire studies, harmonic and melodic understanding, and communicative playing, it’s great for your musical health. Make the green choice and care for this mother earth of musical arts!
Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra
Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra resuscitates historic improvisation pedagogy in her acclaimed Bach and the Art of Improvisation (professional-level), Improvisation Endeavors (entry-level), and Muse (a cappella works for children). She performs solo recitals throughout North American and Europe, early music concerts with Voci dell’Anima, composes organ and choral works, and presents and teaches improvisation courses on historical instruments nationally and internationally. Her mentors include Delbert Disselhorst, Delores Bruch, Harald Vogel, William Porter, Edoardo Bellotti, historic instruments and builders, and decades of colleagues, collaborators, and students. From 1989–2008, she served as professor of music at Bethany College and Eastern Michigan University, and from 1996–2002 as senior researcher at the Göteborg Organ Art Center (Sweden). She is a Fleur De Son Classics recording artist; her recordings include Organ Works of Franz Tunder; Bach, Improvisations, and the Liturgical Year; Froberger on the 1658 De Zentis; and Bach’s Teacher Böhm and Improvisation.