Composing for String Instruments and String Quartet, a Workshop with Members of the Odin Quartet and Cellist/Composer Ronald Royer

Tuesday, February 14, from 7:00 to 8:30pm.

Canadian Music Centre, Toronto

Available online or in-person

 

This workshop focuses on how to affectively compose for a string instrument. Detailed information will be presented on left-hand fingering and right-hand bowing techniques. For the left-hand, positions, shifting, double-stops, chords, harmonics, high position strategies, extended techniques (e.g. quarter-tones), and more will be discussed and demonstrated. For the right-hand, different types of bow strokes, articulation, slurring strategies, moving from arco to pizzicato (and back), col legno, sul ponticello, extended techniques, and more, will also be examined. Strategies for notating left hand (e.g. harmonics) and bowing techniques will be included. Strategies for composing for string quartet will be covered. Participants (in-person or online) will be able to ask questions, and where possible, the string players will demonstrate.

This workshop is presented through the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Generation Composer’s Project, supported by the RBC Foundation and the CMC.