• Students: “Break the Rules!”

    Join us on Facebook and Twitter this March to participate in challenges designed to take you out of your comfort-zone and launch you into the world of our innovative Maverick composers. Experience first-hand just what it means to be an American Maverick.

    Subscribe today to be a part American Mavericks, our momentous exploration of American music this spring.

  • Break the Rules image
  • John Adams 

    Break the Rules Challenge 7: John Adams

    John Adams started composing in a minimalist style, emphasizing tonal, repeating structures. He now embraces the entire history of music to create large-scale, passionate works. *Post a word inspired by your favorite genre of music, as we create a minimalist poem together. We’ll start: Extraordinary

    John Cage 

    Break the Rules Challenge 6: John Cage

    Composer John Cage was fascinated by the intersection of music and noise. What are the last three sounds that you just heard?

     

    Break the Rules Challenge 5: Charles Ives

    Open the nearest book you have and write the third sentence on page 42. Imagine all of our sentences being read at the same time, at different speeds and volumes, creating a musical collage in the spirit of composer Charles Ives.

     

    Break the Rules Challenge 4: Carl Ruggles

    In the spirit of Carl Ruggles, send us a photo of your “rugged American landscape.” Post a photo of your space (desk, room, backyard, etc.).

     

    Break the Rules Challenge 3: Edgard Varèse

    Composer Edgard Varèse broke with European traditions before moving to New York by burning everything he’d ever written and starting over in the US. Have you ever reinvented yourself?

     

    Break the Rules Challenge 2: Morton Feldman

    Composer Morton Feldman was a huge fan of abstract expressionist art. What is your favorite work of modern art? Post a link to a photo on our Facebook page.
     

    Break the Rules Challenge 1: Henry Cowell

    In the spirit of composer Carl Ruggles, send us a photo of your “rugged American landscape.” Post a photo of your space (desk, room, backyard, etc.).
     

    Carnegie Hall Wants You to Break the Rules

    Break the Rules as part of American Mavericks on our Facebook and Twitter pages.