John Cage: Song Books, with Joan La Barbara

John Cage: Song Books course is a performance-based course for singers, instrumentalists, actors, composers, and those working with electronics. Song Books (1970) is a large-scale theater-work consisting of 90 “Solos” which is put together by the performers who choose which Solos they will perform and map them over an agreed-upon duration timeline.The cycle includes: songs and directions for a theatrical performance with/without electronics. The class will culminate in a public performance.

Joan La Barbara’s career as a composer, performer, soundartist actor explores the human voice as a multi-faceted instrument expanding traditional boundaries in developing a unique vocabulary of experimental and extended vocal techniques, influencing several generations of composers and singers. Her discography varies from jazz to many landmark compositions of most acknowledged contemporary composers.