Clipper Erickson has extensive experience in giving informal performances and presentations for all types of audiences in unconventional locations. Erickson draws on his extensive experience in working with children, adults and seniors as a teacher and performer to give presentations of an interactive character–the audience is invited to comment on, start discussions on and participate in the music making. Erickson has a special love and knowledge of American music and enjoys drawing parallels between the music and periods in American history and culture. He has given presentations for schools, church groups, employee organizations, civic clubs such as Rotary, and in prisons. Making classical music accessible to school children, particularly in the elementary grades, is of particular importance to his musical mission.

• Demonstrations for community groups (e.g. Churches, Civic
  Organizations, Piano Teachers Associations, Employee groups)

• Programs for residents of retirement communities and nursing homes
• Master Classes for all levels

• Informal and interactive presentations for school children of all
  grade levels

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:
• Any area about 10 feet square with adequate lighting
• A tuned piano in good condition or a digital piano (preferably with a full keyboard)

SAMPLE PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS:

African-American Music–
Illustrating the incredible variety of music composed by African-Americans: music influenced by spirituals, ragtime, shout, jazz.

American Composers and History–
How American composers wrote music reflecting the times and culture they lived in – from the Victorian and the Gilded Age through the 1920’s, the Depression and World War II, the 1960’s and into our own era.

Music of the Dance–
Dance music by composers of various ethnic backgrounds.  Presentation for children includes clapping in rhythm, discussion of dance types and their origins.  Music by Chopin, Grieg, Debussy, Nathaniel Dett, Scott Joplin.

Pictures in Music–
Pieces that evoke pictures.  Children are invited to describe and draw pictures of what they hear.  Music by Liszt, Debussy, Grieg, Mussorgsky.