Seven Sides of Fire for Youth Orchestras

Perusal for the Youth Orchestra Performance Module 

This module invites student musicians into the powerful sound world of inti figgis-vizueta’s seven sides of fire. Drawing on init’s Quechua heritage, this piece is inspired by the stages of a controlled burn and Indigenous land stewardship practices . As students explore each movement, they’ll use graphic notation as a creative launchpad, transforming cell-based notated prompts into improvised musical experiences. Through guided improvisation on the sounds of igniting, burning, and regrowth, students will experiment with sound, connect with their peers, and reflect on how identity, environment, and cultural traditions can shape music-making. Along the way, they’ll learn about ecological balance, co-creation, improvisation, and how fire itself can be a source of renewal and transformation.

This module introduces student musicians to the innovative performance practices and graphic notation of inti figgis-vizueta.

the environmental concept and  the various stages of a controlled burn through each of the movements inti figgis-vizueta’s seven sides of fire. As the students engage with seven sides of fire, they will [explore]

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Graphics as a springboard for sound exploration

Improvisation as a method of listening and connecting 

Identity as a grounding source of musical inspiration

Engagement with Indigenous cultural traditions and land management practices

 individual sound creation and improvisation in conjunction with their classmates to explore co-creation and collaboration. The module explores identity-based questions to deepen students' understanding of and connection with the musical material. In addition to the musical material, students will engage with native ecological preservation practices, and learn more about our environment.

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