Seven Sides of Fire for Youth Orchestras

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.

What students walk away with:
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    • The ability to translate visual imagery and graphic notation into sound
    • Skills in improvising within a collaborative ensemble setting
    • Experience co-creating music through active listening and response
    • Comfort using personal identity as a source of musical material
    • Awareness of Indigenous ecological knowledge and its relationship to art
    • Confidence shaping sound collectively in real time
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For purchase and module use email jess@americancomposers.org