Innovative Music Making

Using existing technology for remote learning, each composition had creative musical solutions to make the music fit together online. With available technology and a collaborative technical team, the BCO and BCMEA made a county-wide event, deemed impossible by common wisdom, possible. The results made a strong positive impression on participants and their teachers.

Artistic Literacy

For most of the students, this was their first time playing experimental music, non-standard notation, or improvisation in a classical setting. The music served dual purposes of enabling live online performance and introducing students to contemporary classical styles and techniques. Giving players choices of rhythm, timing, or pitch allows the composer and musicians to produce musical effects not available through traditional notation and composing techniques.

“I think it was amazing to see everyone´s ideas and musical skill.”
– G. Grade 9

“I thought that the uniqueness of the pieces was fantastic…. you could appreciate the abstractness of the work and the intricacies of playing pieces such as this.“
– Grade 12 Clarinetist

A Bold Endeavor

Organizing an event, the likes of which had never been done before, required a community effort from both organizations. And the community responded. BCO musicians and BCMEA teachers came together to hone the process beforehand. Rehearsals were held with community volunteers prior to the event to try out procedures, play the pieces, and modify strategies to make things go as smoothly as possible. BCMEA leadership organized its constituents to make possible a high rate of participation and student preparedness. All shared and valued the vision, and put in the effort to bring the event to fruition.

After mere hours of rehearsal, students gave emotional, bold performances. They got to watch the full concert the very next day, thanks to the incredible work of our engineering team. Thank you to all who advised, supported, organized, wrote, play-tested, and managed Music Outside the Box.

"[They weren’t] afraid to actually gather an ensemble and use that opportunity to experiment. Coming from the background of a more avant-garde genre (jazz), I truly appreciate the risks that were taken."
– J. Grade 12

The BCO Says Thank You to the Sponsors of This Project

This event is made possible with public funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Earlville Opera House.

Additional support for the Broome DEC Program graciously provided by the Stewart W. and Willma C. Hoyt Foundation, Inc.

Additional support for "Music Outside the Box" is provided by S.E.E.D. Planning Group, LLC