What is ISP?
There is a question we keep getting asked, “what is ISP?” And if we’re being honest… we’re not quite sure how to explain it. In a way it’s taken on a life of its own. When you open the students up to being creative the program can be whatever they want it to be. But one thing that was obvious to us from the beginning was: this works and it’s fun!
Let’s start by introducing our staff; Jordan, Laura and Harrison. We are a hodgepodge of musicians with incredibly different music education backgrounds (Staff Bios)… And we are all really, really passionate about this program and method we’ve been creating for 3 years. Jordan started this whole thing after thinking about it himself for a long time. Conversations turned to late night brainstorming. Then we got some materials, a handful of students, did a lot of trial and error, and things started falling into place.
ISP is a lot of things, but mainly it is a student collaborative music program that promotes creativity through improvising, reading chord changes, arranging music, and writing solos. After 3 years we have a successful weekly program with students who are thriving with our method and a one week summer camp that students look forward to. We’ve expanded to include adult students who are taking private lessons but have trouble finding opportunities to play with others.
So what is ISP? We’re still figuring it out, but so far it’s a program that makes learning easy and fun for students. It makes performing easy and fun for pros. It allows musicians to be creative instead of bogged down by the constructs of pre-written music. It gives students and professionals alike an outlet to create. It brings students together from different schools. It prepares us for real life gig situations. It’s a way to put our self into our instrument.
AND thanks to our peers, mentors, friends, teachers, local schools, and students: we continue to grow and are excited for this programs future.
“ISP has taught me how to improvise in a new way compared to how I’ve learned in school. I like ISP because I enjoy playing and learning with my group. ”