Atlanta REMIXes it up: (from left) Destin Alexis and Composer-in-Residence Miguel Romero work out rhythms on the claves, while A.J. Yarde and Jason Bush get a conga lesson from guest artist Luis Gonzales. Photo by Tim Wilkerson.

This spring, the chapter launched REMIX, its first collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. In keeping with the Boys & Girls Clubs' focus on personal development in the areas of health, education, and employability, REMIX provided members of two clubs with an opportunity to experience all aspects of CD production - from writing songs to digital editing. Over four months, the participants, ages 10 to 13, created new music and explored a range of careers in the music industry.

Composer and harpist Susan Ottzen worked with the Lawrenceville Club in northeastern Atlanta, while Miguel Romero - a Cuban native who leads his own jazz ensemble in Atlanta - served as composer-in-residence for the Anderson Club in Marietta, Ga. The composers met weekly with club members to guide them through the process of writing and recording the CD.

Part of the project's success can be attributed to the composers' willingness to focus on the music participants found exciting - the rhyming lyrics and powerful pulse of rap. Though club members were familiar with the glamour of the music industry, most were surprised by the amount of hard work that went into creating a professionally produced album. Rising to the challenge, they continually refined lyrics, made crucial decisions regarding musical accompaniment, and gained hands-on experience in all aspects of studio production.

The work was hard, but the payoff was substantial. As each group listened to the final mixes of their music in the studio, the excitement registered with smiles of satisfaction. The final CD - currently being prepared for manufacturing - includes three songs written and produced by each of the clubs and one commissioned work from each of the composers. Beyond the pride they found in their work, club members also learned what it takes to become audio engineers and producers - roles they now see as possible career paths.

As part of the Composer in the Schools program, guest artist Woody Williams demonstrates drumming techniques to composer Bill Anschell's students at Atlanta's North Springs High School. Photo: Lane Wilson

The chapter was also active at local high schools, as the Composer in the Schools (CITS) program wrapped up its second year in Atlanta's Fulton County School System. The program, originally developed by the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, placed composer-pianist Bill Anschell in residence with North Springs High School and jazz composer Gary Motley in residence with Centennial High School. The composers taught semester-long classes, guiding students through the fundamentals of composition and the creation of original works. The program not only helped students explore their own musical creativity, but also expand their understanding of compositional and stylistic issues, the creative uses of music theory, and careers in composition.

At Centennial, Motley - a veteran of a previous CITS residency - taught nine students. Though the students were experienced instrumentalists, most had never studied composition. Motley shared his approach with the young composers: come up with a conceptual idea (such as an image, feeling, or story), write it down, and then use compositional tools to bring the idea to life musically.

Anschell's situation at North Springs was somewhat different. The school, which had participated in the first year of CITS residencies, includes an arts-and-sciences magnet program in its curriculum. Anschell taught two classes - one for six band students and the other for six orchestra students. Elizabeth Engelmann and Gordon Green, students who had participated in the program's first year at the school, found it so valuable that they took the class for a second year.

Both schools capped off their residencies with concerts of student works performed by student ensembles. Combined, the schools premiered 13 new student compositions.

The residencies also included commissioned works from the composers, an opportunity that allowed both of them to achieve their shared goal of writing an extended piece for jazz trio and chamber orchestra. Motley premiered "The Resolution of a Dream" at Centennial's May 15 concert, and Anschell debuted "What's Around Comes and Goes" at North Springs' May 21 concert.

You've Got to Have Faith

Dr. Marian Dolan warms up the Candler School of Theology's combined choirs before a performance of Mark Gresham's Faith Partners composition "Blessings."

The past year was a milestone for the Faith Partners program, as it wrapped up its first round of residencies in the Southeast. The projects - which placed six composers in residence with 18 religious congregations - went beyond the creation of new sacred music to build stronger bonds between communities of different faiths.

Launched in February 2000, the first round of Southeastern residencies included congregations in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Over a two-year span, six composers wrote an amazing variety of sacred works - based on scripture, poetry, psalms, and prayers - reflecting the diversity of the participating communities. Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational, Catholic, Baptist, Episcopal, and Jewish congregations brought new works into their worship services and joined together to share premieres and performances.

The residencies resulted in 36 new pieces of sacred music, an unprecedented achievement in the region. In the coming year, the chapter will launch four more residencies, providing eight congregations - spanning Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina - with the opportunity to engage in a creative dialogue on the role of music in worship. Upon their completion, the residencies will result in at least 24 more sacred works.