For the members of the Playground, music is first and foremost fun.  However, like watching an unfamiliar sporting event, you enjoy it more if you know the rules and object of the game.  Education is therefore an important part of our mission.  By not only introducing audiences to modern composers and their works, but also explaining the composers’ techniques, effects, and underlying musical values, we increase our audience’s interest and enjoyment in this vibrant and diverse repertoire and provide a satisfying and unique musical experience. 

While all of our concerts have an educational component, we also offer specific educational programs for all ages and experience levels, from elementary to college and adult.  All of our educational programs are individually tailored to the needs of the audience, and can last from 30 to 90 minutes.  Topics include compositional techniques and other theoretical issues, performance techniques and non-standard effects, composers and repertoire, and software.  The topics are presented with a combination of concert performance, lecture, demonstration, and interactive experience.  We offer master classes for performers as well.  In schools, we may attend music classes after the program for more in-depth discussion of the topics. 

The members of the Playground are experienced educators, teaching in a variety of institutions in the Denver area.  Many are on the faculty of the University of Denver’s Lamont School of music, where the Playground is an Artist-in-Residence ensemble.  Let us bring an educational program to you.