Milo's Notes from First Rehearsal

From Milo:

Mother Courage Music and Sound Goals:

 - In rehearsal, to create/cultivate a setting of sound-in-time based receptivity and response rooted in mutual experience and understanding, and eventually to transfer/bridge this means of collaboration into space. 

- To generate and increase “co-incidence”, first by isolating the threads of focus by which we exchange our impulses in order to experience and become accustomed to this manner of action as an ensemble, then layering/putting together the components as our awareness and concentration allows. 

 - Introduce systems/forms that will help the ensemble to function in communicative exchange with increasing sensitivity and spontaneity.

 - Either place forms within the framework of the music and scenes so to guide and shape ensemble action, or become fluid and facile enough in this interplay that the systems themselves are no longer needed. 

 

Components:

1.  Facility of the songs written thus far.  Lyrics, melodies, harmonies, song forms, counts, etc., in order to build on, branch off of, alter, improvise within in and change in process.  Assertive learning.

2.  Devised, experimental structures for improvisation set into action with the intent of mining one or more of the following:  

- compelling/interesting material for further exploration within the production.

- Refinement in ensemble performance communication.  Articulate, dynamic, precise.

-  refinement in the improvisory structures themselves , either more specific or better suited for the ideas, images and themes of the production.

3.  Open, neutral, exploratory approach, willingness to risk failure and to act and assume responsibilities of musicians regardless of musical background.   

Rehearsal structure:   

1.     Warming up and part learning. 

2.     Exploration of the above mentioned ensemble communication. 

3.     Generating possible material.

 4/1, 14 – heavy work toward 1 and 2.  Less 3 

4/19, 21 – less 1, heavy 2, moderate 3. 

4/25, 28 – very little 1, less 2, heavy 3.