Harp studies, part of the Instrumental Arts offerings, enables harpists to explore a full range of repertoire, ensemble performance opportunities, and supplemental coursework in support of their metier.
The study of solo repertoire is drawn primarily from classical, contemporary, and experimental traditions. And at the advanced level, the curriculum allows for students to explore hybrid genres and styles, including world music, jazz, avant rock, improvisation, digital media, and interdisciplinary performance with peers across the Institute.
Harp students rehearse and perform with numerous ensembles throughout the school, ranging from experimental collaborative groups, improvisation ensembles, world music ensembles, and chamber ensembles to large ensembles, including the school’s principal conducted faculty-student group, The Ensemble at CalArts.
BFA
Undergraduate students in Harp studies develop their instrumental skills through major lessons, harp studio, performance forums, and intensive work in different ensemble configurations. The solo harp repertoire draws from the classical, contemporary, and experimental traditions, while the ensembles include various chamber groups, conducted large ensembles, and the Ensemble at CalArts.
The curriculum also requires classes in composition, creative skills, and pedagogy. The faculty encourage students to incorporate jazz, non-Western traditions, improvisation, experimental forms, digital media, hybrid arts, and interdisciplinary performance into their individual studies.
MFA
MFA Harp studies allows already-accomplished harpists to explore advanced performance techniques and new stylistic directions as they shape their individual artistic profiles and prepare for careers in the professional music world.
In addition to major lessons, harp studios, and advanced classes in music history, literature, theory, and analysis, MFA candidates play in multiple chamber groups and conducted large ensembles, including the Ensemble at CalArts. They further develop their skills in extended techniques, improvisation, and interpretation through a number of more specialized groups, covering Baroque chamber music and arias, jazz, electronic, improvisational, and experimental music, as well as non-Western traditions. The MFA curriculum also incorporates classes in pedagogy and career design.