masterclasses & university courses for establishing new repertoires in contemporary classical music through a unique improvisation method. For universities, advanced music academies & specialist music schools.

A world-first in university music education
These Masterclasses and Courses are a world-first, radical understanding of music which has been lost since the end of the Renaissance over 500 years ago. They teach the four basic building blocks at the basis of all music, from the ancient to the avant-garde. Then they give the practical hands-on understanding of how to apply this in real life to make mature, original, contemporary classical repertoires at a concert-hall level.

The breakthrough in practical understanding which this systematic approach offers, equips musicians with the skills to apply and create an unlimited variety of original works at the rigorous standards which professional classical artists and audiences are accustomed to. The Masterclasses and Courses incorporate into improvisation-based contemporary classical music composition the principles of tonal and atonal music, fundamentals of textures and styles, synthetic modes, soundscapes, and also includes advanced (and in many cases new) contemporary playing techniques.

Flexible formats
The Masterclasses and Courses exist in flexible formats, from short recital-demonstrations and one-day masterclasses, through to full-length tertiary degree and teacher training courses.

Applicable to all instruments
They are equally applicable to all classical instruments including strings, brass, woodwind, keyboard, tuned percussion, guitar and voice.

What professional musicians and university faculty are saying about this method: 

“The most incredible masterclass I have ever done! I wanted to compose classical music through improvisation which would sound like my own sound, but I didn’t want to do jazz. I found this to be the way to make my own concert repertoires keeping all the subtlety I am used to in classical music”
Professor Penelope Gunter-Thalhammer - cello faculty, Landeskonservatorium Vorarlberg, Austria

"RupertG teaches you with a clear and easy method the ability to really express yourself through improvised music, in any style you want. Besides this you learn without any effort to fill the music with a special energy, a technique which is enriching also your non improvised performances"
Christoph Langheim - violist, La Scala Opera Orchestra in Milan, Italy

“I can't express enough gratitude to you – my life will never be the same again. You are a fabulous teacher, fun, witty, clear and organised all in one and so talented. A real pleasure to be around”
Sue Armstrong - singer, UK

From the founder:
“I can’t emphasise enough what a dramatic and empowering difference this method of contemporary classical music improvisation makes to one’s playing in general: it not only creates fantastic concert repertoires, but also adds meaning and depth to existing music studies or performance, it greatly enhances personal expressiveness and individuality of playing style, it further develops one’s musical ear and immediately begins a noticeable deepening of interpretive and musical insight.”
RupertG – founder of the Integrated Contemporary Performance Course

Entire course concept, syllabus and method (including the name Integrated Contemporary Performance Course - a Professional Development course in improvisation and contemporary studio & stage techniques in the music program) is developed, realised, written and copyrighted © Rupert Guenther 2004


UNIVERSITY COURSES
These Courses and Masterclasses are attracting interest from leading universities worldwide and have already been hosted by Monash University, University of Queensland and University of Western Australia.

THE INTEGRATED CONTEMPORARY PERFORMANCE COURSE©
This Integrated Contemporary Performance Course material forms the basic core of the course content of all the university Courses and Masterclasses offered.

General description
The Integrated Contemporary Performance masterclasses & courses are designed for professional classical musicians and university/conservatorium students and form a dynamic and powerful part of every player’s contemporary classical music education and repertoire. 

Rigorous professional standards
They are taught at a rigorous professional level and give the practical skills and experience required for creating serious 2-hour repertoires of contemporary classical music for the concert platform (both solo and ensemble) which are as highly structured, tightly crafted, imaginative and musically meaningful for the listener as any traditionally composed works. 

Structured
The details for every Course and Masterclass are taught in systematic steps. The Courses and Mastercalsses are available in different formats as either short, medium or long-term courses. The basic course material for all Courses and Masterclasses is organised into chapters as follows:
1. Contemporary classical music improvisation basics – the 4 building blocks for all music
2. Mastering and understanding of style for building contemporary classical music repertoires 
3. Development of harmonic & rhythmic textures; continuing repertoire development
4. Ensemble improvisation skills 
5. Contemporary playing techniques – new sounds and skills
These areas of study continue throughout the duration of the course or masterclass.

Practical with added benefits
The course work is all leant hands-on at the instrument and does not involve or require any formal composition studies. All homework is incorporated into existing daily music practice time and produces many other benefits including improved listening, more accurate intonation and more mature musical, interpretive and expressive skills.

Unique approach
The courses are strictly for contemporary classical music and differ radically from the traditional more intellectual approaches used by jazz and other analytical-based improvisation methods. The courses are also unique in teaching improvisation from a deeply practical understanding of being at home with all the modes and scales from an emotional as well as a musical perspective. 

Historic re-discovery
The courses teach musicians an historic re-discovery which has been missing from classical music education for the past 500 years – how to use the four basic building blocks which all music is constructed from, then to make convincing and mature new music through improvisation - and show how these form the basis of all classical music, from ancient times to the avant-garde.

Applications
This breakthrough in practical understanding equips musicians with the skills to apply and create an unlimited variety of repertoires of mature contemporary classical music works. The courses incorporate tonal and atonal music, fundamentals of textures and styles, synthetic modes, soundscapes, and also includes advanced (and in many cases new) contemporary playing techniques. 

The courses exist in flexible formats, from short recital-demonstrations and one-day masterclasses, through to full-length tertiary degree courses. They are equally applicable to all classical instruments including strings, brass, woodwind, keyboard, tuned percussion, guitar and voice.

In addition, the courses serve as a powerful and accelerated process to identify, define and consolidate each performer’s own individual sound and style, which naturally flows on into all their existing music studies and performance. It also includes very practical and insightful techniques for overcoming stage-fright.

Contemporary repertoires for the concert hall
Composing repertoires through this method of improvisation creates an interesting, vibrant and powerful component of players’ professional repertoire as contemporary classical artists in the twenty-first century. It solves the problem of solo repertoire for every instrument and also provides great flexibility in ensemble instrumentation.

In addition the courses have an optional class unit to equip players with the practical expertise, insights and understanding of acoustic and electric instruments and electronic effects. This enables performers to make the right choices regarding amplification and electronic-related use of their instruments in a professional context for contemporary classical music where required. 

Also available
Visiting artist recital
Lecture/Demonstration
Masterclass/Workshop
Artist-in-residence
Composer-in-residence
Guest Professor
Masterclasses
Summer courses in solo and ensemble contemporary classical
improvisation performance
Faculty members Professional-Development workshop
Teacher Training Course

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MANAGEMENT:
Stockholm tel: +46-8-501 64389
Melbourne tel: +61-3-9018 5221
email: tcb@rupertg.com

MASTERCLASSES

Masterclass ICP1: Making Contemporary Classical Music Through Improvisation
Format: one-day or two-day.
Description: an intensive practical course to quickly orientate and equip professional classical players with the complete how, what and why of improvisation in contemporary classical music. Participants learn quick, easy and systematic musical ideas for improvisation at the instrument to apply in their music making immediately, enabling them to create mature, coherent expressions of improvised music at a professional level as a legitimate part of their concert platform repertoire. Each participant develops a strong relationship with the entire spectrum of tonality and masters a deeply practical understanding of all the modes and scales from an emotional as well as from a musical perspective. Establishes the way to each participant’s own individual sound and style and teaches basic techniques for overcoming stage-fright.
Pre-requisite: open to all professional players who want to start contemporary clasical music improvisation or accelerate their progress further.

Masterclass ICP2: Ensemble Skills at The Instrument — new textures, voicings and concept development for ensemble improvisation
Format: one-day or two-day.
Description: an intensive professional-level course which focuses on enhancing the maturity of musical ideas through developing responsive and dynamic musical interaction, practical application of the principles of musical texture as well as developing a lexicon of motifs and concepts, sounds and textures and establishes authentic flow in ensemble improvisation. Further enhances originality of style and interpretive maturity which is applicable to all areas of music studies and performance.
Pre-requisite: Masterclass ICP1

Masterclass ICP3: Atonal Improvisation
Format: one-day or two day
Description: a deep understanding and practical working knowledge of atonal improvisation for contemporary classical performance. Mastering the new spectrum of musical languages, textures, complexities and freedoms which this unique idiom brings. Presented in a systematic and comprehensible format to use right away. An essential toolbox for all contemporary performers.
Pre-requisite: Masterclass ICP1

Masterclass ICP4: Contemporary Techniques — exploring new dimensions of sound for improvisation in the 21st century
Format: one-day or two-day
Description: this course focuses on developing and consolidating a new palette of tonal and experimental sounds on acoustic instruments for application in contemporary classical performance. Includes known as well as new contemporary techniques and explores the expressive potential of the instrument from a wide and innovative sonic perspective. Dedicated to completely practical, useful skills for all professionals.
Pre-requisite: Masterclass ICP1

Masterclass ICP5: Contemporary Studio & Stage Techniques
Format: one-day.
Description: this course gives a thorough grounding in the contemporary studio and stage techniques of the recording industry sessions, as well a practical working knowledge of what is required stylistically for playing in live string and orchestral on-stage sections.In addition it equips players with the practical expertise, insights and understanding of acoustic and electric instruments and electronic effects which enables them to make the right choices regarding amplification of their instruments in a professional context. Applicable to both solo and ensemble applications.
Pre-requisite: professional-level proficiency

Masterclass ICP6: Stage Fright
Format: one-day.
Description: stage-fright is a big issue for some people. If you do get really nervous to the extent that you can’t enjoy or deliver in your performances, this highly effective course will take you through the process which gets to the root of your anxiety and enables you to heal it. You will thank yourself a thousand times for processing out the faulty core beliefs which caused you to feel fear instead of joy when you play music. Includes specific take-home techniques and practical tools for on-the-spot use in even the most demanding performances.
Pre-requisite: a sincere desire and commitment to reclaim joy instead of fear.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MANAGEMENT:
Stockholm tel: +46-8-501 64389
Melbourne tel: +61-3-9018 5221
email: tcb@rupertg.com