About the Counterpoint Program
For aspiring composers, nothing is as effective as the study of counterpoint where you learn about melodic development, voice-leading, and orchestration. Perhaps the most famous method of all is the work of Joseph Fux who wrote the treatise on counterpoint, Gradus ad Parnassum, a method based on the learnings of Palestrina. In this course we will dive into the five species with as sole purpose to strengthen your ear into hearing harmony with more transparency and purpose. With this knowledge we will bridge into the works of Lee Morgan, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, Gil Evans, George Russel, Bob Brookmeyer and many other composers where we will analyze the techniques used for two, three, and four part writing.
This course is very successful, well constructed and a lot of fun. By the end, you will have written a four part composition. Are you interested in part writing and composition or did you dabble into counterpoint but never went full circle? Then this is the course for you!
Topics include:
-Two part writing (all five species)
-Listening sessions
-Counterpoint exercises
-From two voices to four part
-Part preparation
-Range, Transposition, Register and Intensity
-Your arrangement performed by the NYJW sax quartet!
Course length and Date:
A cycle of 8 one hour classes with a max of 4 students. Counterpoint requires individual attention and therefore it is imperative that the class is small. Multiple classes will be running, each class will start as soon as the limit of 4 students is reached.
Your composition recorded:
In the course you will write a four part composition which will be recorded by the NYJW saxophone quartet. Your work will be reviewed and you can be present at the recording session, live or online through Zoom.
Price:
$375 for 8 one hour sessions.
For more information, send us an email
About the Faculty
Marc Mommaas
This course will be taught by Marc Mommaas, faculty member and co-founder of NYJW and Hudson Jazzworks (HJW), and professor at the New School in NYC .