High School and Middle School Workshops

Highly Interactive Masterclasses for Orchestra, Guitar, Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Contemporary Bands, Marching Band, and Choir

Examples of Topics

Madigan’s revolutionary theory of rhythm addresses numerous overlooked aspects of rhythm that make huge changes in your students’ playing. Waxing and Waning Duration is a concept that is solely applicable to melodic instruments and can make or break your group’s sound.

The exercise on this page depicts an extremely simple yet highly profound way to increase your groups sonic unity, rhythmic alignment, and overall groove.

This excerpt is from the Guitar Masterclass workbook written by Curtis Madigan. The concepts however, are applicable to choirs, orchestras, jazz ensembles, wind ensemble and more.

Neighboring syncopations is another concept unique to Madigan’s Sound Formation Method. This concept address the practice of training your students in similar syncopated rhythms that feel dramatically different.

These similar rhythms and their distinction in execution is a defining factor in creating a mature and professional sounding ensemble versus an amateur group that struggles with refined rhythmic feels.

Again, this is an incredibly simple but not necessarily easy principle that creates a huge shift in your group’s overall sound for the better.

Elementary School Workshops

Curtis Madigan is known for his amazing ability to integrate math and music in a completely new way. He’s published numerous books on this subject. His fun and interactive workshops are on the Sound of Fundamental Math. Takeaways include:

•Reinforced math skills

•Increased enjoyment of math and developing depth of understanding

•New ways of thinking about music