New Contemporary Music Program is Designed for Tomorrow’s Music Makers
We’re opening a brand-new door for students through our Contemporary Music Program. While MacPhail has long offered jazz and launched the Electronic Music and Recording Arts (EMRA) program five years ago, contemporary offerings were previously spread across different programs. Now, we’re uniting jazz, pop, rock, electronic, world music, and more under one umbrella, giving students the tools and freedom to explore across genres and create music that reflects who they are.
Offering diverse, relevant programming is key to broadening access for a wider range of students. “We have students coming from very diverse backgrounds and interests, saying everything from, ‘I’m a bedroom producer, my instrument is my laptop’ to ‘I’m a middle school band student and my director just handed me a trombone,’” says Michael Cain, Vice President of Music Education. “To all of them, we say, ‘Come on in. We can work with you and help you develop your craft.’”
Several first-of-their-kind ensembles will make their debut at MacPhail this year, including a beginner jazz improvisation ensemble, and Sound Rebels, a genre-fluid group co-taught by a guitarist and beatbox rapper where students create original music. Additional class offerings will be added based on student response.
As the largest community music school in the country, MacPhail is uniquely positioned to be a hub for contemporary music study. “There’s widespread community desire for something like this, and MacPhail is nimble enough to experiment with programming,” Michael explains. “We have the potential to have tremendous impact in the Twin Cities by modeling a new way to think about music education and music engagement.”
It all comes back to serving students with excellent music education that speaks to their passions. “We want students to see there is a pathway and a place for their musical interests. Maybe you’re a beat maker, maybe you’re a poet, or maybe you’re something we haven’t even imagined yet,” Michael envisions. “When you want tools, information, support, and education, you can look at MacPhail and go, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s a place that values my own unique set of interests. I want to be there.”