No images? Click here USDAN MUSING & ONLINE HIGHLIGHTS: WEEK 3 Lauren's Musing: From Monday through Wednesday of this week, I tried not to schedule myself full of zoom meetings. Instead, I worked from seat B26 in the Andrew and Lily McKinley Amphitheater. Thanks to Usdan’s Artists in Residence The Knights, our dormant amphitheater came back to life. For three days, a sextet rehearsed with masks on, in the safe open air, to prepare for last night’s livestream broadcast from Caramoor. Usdan’s Festival performances started on day one: July 1, 1968. The opportunity to experience live art every day both from fellow students and world-class professionals is a legacy that Usdan’s founder Andrew McKinley left all of us. We expect it out of every camp day, but could not have it this summer. For the first time this week, I felt that something exciting will result from so much art being cancelled. In the future, we will reawaken our senses with live art. Brahms String Sextet No. 2 in G, Op. 36 pulled the cobwebs out of my ears. To hear Brahms and Anna Clyne’s new work Shorthand forced a level of sensory activity, specifically aural activity, unfamiliar since I last saw a live performance on March 7. To experience the work of artists live - to hear with our ears, to see directly with our eyes - is a uniquely human experience. The arts are what makes us human. As The Knights finished their final hour of rehearsal on Wednesday, my ears clung to every sound from each of the six bows, like a person holding onto a log for dear life in a rushing stream. I did not want to let go. Enjoy hearing co-artistic Director of The Knights Colin Jacobsen describe what rehearsing is like during the quarantine. Close your eyes and listen to a clip of Brahms String Sextet No. 2 in G, Op. 36. Please explore below the inspiring art our kids are working on in their online studios. - Lauren Brandt Schloss, Executive Director Introduction to Electronic Music In the electronic music studio, faculty Levy introduced new ways of thinking about sound to his students. Levy shared: Electronic sounds are acoustic sounds electrified and sounds that originate from within the computer or within electricity. Acoustic sounds come from the real world, and not electricity. Students shared three electronic and three acoustic sounds that they hear in their everyday life. This first sound experiment of the course used voice recordings that each of the students created remotely at home. They've been learning to play, hands-on, with sound processing effects and audio editing. Using Soundtrap, the class was able to collaboratively collect their voices into the same sound project. Next week, they bring more collective sound magic from afar. Introduction to Electronic Music ClassSummer Cooking with U In the online kitchen, Chef Tiffany taught students how to make cherry tomato sauce and cheesy breadsticks for dipping from scratch. When Chef Tiffany asked everyone to taste their sauces, there was a resounding “YUM!” from all the kitchens. One student decided to put on her sunglasses for stirring. Summer Cooking with U Class3D Workshop: Transforming the Ordinary After looking at the artwork of Nari Ward, students were asked to make a sculpture using a pile of their own clothes. One student shared her sculpture of t-shirts wrapped in colorful yarn. She expressed that the package-like sculpture symbolized life: you have no idea what it brings you, it's a mystery. 3D Workshop ClassUpcoming Community Events Family Workshop: Yoga Join Edna Gruvman for a virtual family yoga class. Together, we will practice basic yoga poses and partner poses that promote flexibility and strength, and explore various breathing techniques. The class will end with a Loving Kindness meditation that enhances our ability to be empathic and increases feelings of ease and wellbeing. Friday, July 31 Usdan Happy Hours On August 19, we will gather virtually in celebration of the amazing students who participated in Usdan Online this summer. The event will be live streamed and will showcase work created in our online studios including visual art, dance, music, theater, writing, and culinary arts. If you are the parent of a Usdan Online student, this event is for you and will spotlight the artwork of your child and their classmates. For the greater Usdan community, we encourage you to tune in for this afternoon of Usdan-love, creativity, and festivity. Wednesday, August 19 Act I: Courses 7/6 - 7/17 @ 4:00 PM More details and registration link to follow. |