residency programs

Residency Activities: In One Location

NOTES: All activities may be open to the general public at the discretion of the presenting organization. Where used, the term “auditors” is defined as non-participatory students and faculty of the institution where the activity takes place and special guests or patrons of the institution or faculty. The following activities do not include Composer Reading Sessions; please see the next section for information about readings sessions. NOTE: Residency Activities in multiple locations must be negotiated with additional logistical considerations.

1. Lecture/Demonstration

• Length of session: 30-60 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 6
• Number of participants: unlimited
• Facility requirements: concert hall in which eighth blackbird will perform during the residency, set up as per tech rider.

eighth blackbird will perform pieces or excerpts of pieces from our repertoire, then discuss and analyze the music and the ensemble’s unique approach to performance. Questions to and from the audience will be addressed throughout the demonstration.

2. Masterclass(es)

• Length of session: 30-120 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6
• Number of participants: 2-6 solo or chamber performances, unlimited auditors
• Facility requirements: large classroom, lecture hall or concert hall

Members of eighth blackbird will listen to solo or small ensemble performances and offer comments and suggestions. Groups of any instrumentation playing music from any time period are welcome. NOTE: Members of eighth blackbird can direct 2 or 3 masterclasses simultaneously, in different performance spaces. eighth blackbird, in coordination with the presenting organization, reserves the right to determine number of coaches per masterclass.

3. Extended chamber ensemble coaching

• Length of session: 30-120 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6
• Number of participants: maximum 4 ensembles, unlimited auditors
• Facility requirements: large classroom, lecture hall or concert hall

For residencies that last 4 days or more, it is possible to work with chamber ensembles again after the initial masterclass, provided they have had time to rehearse, as an ensemble, points discussed in the masterclass. eighth blackbird, in coordination with the presenting organization, reserves the right to determine number of coaches per masterclass.

4. Open rehearsal

• Length of rehearsal: 60-120 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 6
• Number of participants: unlimited auditors
• Facility requirements: concert hall in which eighth blackbird will perform during the residency, including one tuned grand piano and 14 music stands (see tech rider).

Members of eighth blackbird will lead auditors through a public rehearsal of the ensemble’s current repertoire. Repertoire for the class will be chosen by eighth blackbird. Questions from the audience will be addressed during the rehearsal.

5. Discussion session for performers

• Length of session: 30-120 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6
• Number of participants: unlimited
• Facility requirements: large room

Members of eighth blackbird will discuss the business aspects of running a chamber music ensemble. Topics may include how to form and maintain a chamber music ensemble, how to communicate effectively in rehearsals and meetings, how to choose and prepare repertoire, and how to perform with conviction for an audience.

6. Discussion session for composers

• Length of session: 30-120 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6
• Number of participants: unlimited
• Facility requirements: large room

eighth blackbird will discuss how to write for each instrument group (strings, winds, piano/percussion) and how to write for groups using mixed instrumentation. Other topics may include orchestration, commissioning, score organization, and meeting deadlines.

7. Movement coaching for chamber ensembles

• Length of session: 30-120 minutes.
• Minimum length per group: 30 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6
• Number of participants: 1-4 ensembles, unlimited auditors
• Facility requirements: concert hall or large open classroom

In a masterclass setting, eighth blackbird will coach a chamber music group that has memorized a short piece, movement, or segment of a larger work. eighth blackbird will address such issues as movement, choreography, stage presence, visual communication, and other elements.

8. Panel discussion

• Length of session: 30-120 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6
• Number of participants: unlimited
• Facility requirements: large room

Members of eighth blackbird will discuss various topics, including the business aspects of running a chamber music ensemble, the history of the group, how the ensemble finds and rehearses repertoire, etc. Regardless of topic, we encourage the participation of a moderator (faculty member, etc) to guide discussion.

9. Composer workshop

• Length of session: 60 minutes
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6
• Number of composers: 1-4, unlimited auditors
• Facility requirements: concert hall in which eighth blackbird will perform during the residency, set up with percussion required for workshop.

The ensemble will sight-read student compositions. No preparation will be done in advance. Pieces should be simple, and use minimal instrumentation, agreed to in advance by the ensemble. The provision of percussion instruments should be discussed with eighth blackbird percussionist, Matthew Duvall. eighth blackbird will not do any “runs” of complete works. The session cannot be recorded.

NOTE: A full composer reading session requires an additional fee. See Composer Reading Sessions below.

10. Rehearsal and performance with eighth blackbird

• Length of session: 2-4 days
• Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6
• Number of participants: 1-10 performers, unlimited auditors
• Facility requirements: rehearsal space and concert hall

Members of eighth blackbird join students to rehearse and perform works from the ensemble's repertoire. There are many variables in this program, and exact details differ significantly from school to school. Please contact David Lieberman Artists' Representatives for more information.

composer reading sessions

For an additional fee, eighth blackbird offers two in-depth workshops for composers.

I. Reading Session – Excerpts

The ensemble will be prepared to play excerpts that it has chosen from student compositions, and can repeat excerpted material as required for recording purposes.

1. Length of session: 1-2 hours. Each piece should be allotted at least 30 minutes. Time should be allowed for resetting between pieces.
2. Reading session should not take place on the day of an eighth blackbird performance.
3. Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6 (it is certainly not required that all compositions involve all six members)
4. Number of participants: 1-4 composers, unlimited auditors. Reading session should not be open to the public.
5. Facility requirements:
   1. Concert hall or large rehearsal room
   2. One tuned grand piano
   3. 12 music stands
   4. Percussion instrument requirements will be determined when negotiating residency terms.
6. Composers can record the session. Recordings may be used for educational purposes only, and not for broadcast, sale, or distribution. Recordings shall not contain the name, logo, or any other identifying marker of the ensemble.
7. Excerpts will be chosen by eighth blackbird. Composers are encouraged to suggest excerpts.
8. Parts and scores should be delivered to the ensemble 2 weeks prior to the reading session. (Note: This will allow the ensemble to choose which material to workshop, confirm availability of required instruments and deal with other logistical matters.)
9. See addendum below for additional Reading Session requirements.

II. Reading Session – Complete Works

The ensemble will be prepared to play compositions in their entirety as well as repeat material as needed for recording purposes. NOTE: This reading session does not constitute a public performance of these compositions and may not be advertised as such in any publicity or advertising materials of the institution where the session will be held or of the composers whose work is being read. A public performance of student works may be negotiated separately with eighth blackbird and their management, David Lieberman Artists' Representatives, but is quite rare.

1. Length of session: 1-2 hours. Each piece should be allotted at least 30-45 minutes. Time should be allowed for resetting between pieces.
2. Reading session should not take place on the day of an eighth blackbird performance.
3. Number of eighth blackbird members involved: 1-6 (it is certainly not required that all compositions involve all six members)
4. Number of participants: 1-3 composers, unlimited auditors. Reading session should not be open to the public.
5. Facility requirements:
   1. Concert hall or large rehearsal room
   2. One tuned grand piano
   3. 12 music stands
   4. Percussion instrument requirements will be determined when negotiating residency terms.
6. Composers can record the session. Recordings may be used for educational use only, and not for broadcast, sale, or distribution. Recordings shall not contain the name, logo, or any other identifying marker of the ensemble.
7. Parts and scores will be delivered to the ensemble 4 weeks prior to the reading session.
8. See addendum below for additional Reading Session requirements.

addendum:
additional eighth blackbird reading session requirements

Percussion requirements

1. All required percussion must be set up at the reading venue in time for the reading. This ensures that less time during the session will be devoted to finding instruments and setting up. Any use of eighth blackbird’s instruments must be negotiated in advance with the presenter or the ensemble’s percussionist, Matthew Duvall. Do not assume that the ensemble owns or will bring any of the percussion or percussion accessories (mallets, sticks, bows, triangle beaters, etc.) needed to read your piece.
2. Consult with eighth blackbird’s percussionist, Matthew Duvall, about specific percussion, accessories, notation, or other questions. You can email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This should happen well in advance (at least one week) of the reading session.
3. Composers should be conservative with their percussion set-ups. eighth blackbird’s time with each composer will be limited. A minimal percussion set-up will result in a more accurate reading.
4. Composers should provide multiple, unbound percussion parts. This is in case the percussion part requires multiple music stands. Composers should use their best judgment as to how many parts are required.

Part and Score Requirements

1. Include measure numbers in parts and scores.
2. Print paper copies of parts and scores. If possible, please use Finale, Sibelius, or other music notation software.
3. Provide six copies of the score and six parts. Score should be in C.
4. Part Preparation: Winds, Strings, and Piano: Please use wire spiral binding. Parts should allow for page turns. Percussion should be unbound: Please DO NOT staple parts or scores. Provide multiple parts if writing for more than one instrument.
   1. Page Size: 8 1/2 x 11.
   2. Page Orientation: vertical
5. Score Order: Instruments should be scored in the following descending order:
   1. Flute
   2. Clarinet
   3. Violin
   4. Cello
   5. Percussion
   6. Piano