Through the sponsorship of The Ed. Foundation and Landmark on Main Street, Schreiber High School orchestra and jazz students had the opportunity to improve their musical talents through the guidance of world-renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter, who has recorded her own albums and won a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship award in 2006.
Through their collaboration, student musicians perfected their skills with Carter through participatory workshops that encompassed the elements of jazz, blues and pop style.
Carter’s Intro to Improvisation workshop educated students about the element of improvisation in blues and jazz music. During the seminar, a group of 25 students performed on stage with Carter as she taught the audience a 12-note blues scale with their instruments and discussed form and call-and-response. Immersing the audience, student-musicians incorporated lyrics to the musical beat.
As the day continued, Carter held a string section clinic, elevating the performance of the orchestra. Only available to the symphony orchestra, musicians rehearsed Mountain Spring, where she helped the group enhance their pop and jazz technique.
Following her workshops, Carter enjoyed lunch with the symphony orchestra answering questions and giving advice to students pursuing careers in music.
“Be open to hearing different music. I’m involved in music I never thought I’d be able to perform because I was open to different music and didn’t limit myself,” she said. “Do whatever it is you love to do and the work will come to you.”
