Creative Improvisation Collective

A group of musicians performs in a room with a piano and various instruments, watched by seated attendees. The atmosphere is casual and engaged.

Pictured, left to right: Emily Aponte, Selim Göncü (piano), Bill Kalinkos, Daniel Noonan, Gavin Waldrop, Ash Schreiber

About Us

A lively scene in a cozy record store, with four musicians playing guitar, violin, steel drum, and clarinet. Vinyl records and CDs line the walls, illuminated by warm lights and colorful string lights. The atmosphere is vibrant and slightly nostalgic.

Creative Improvisation Collective (CIC) is an ensemble devoted to learning trans-idiomatic improvisational techniques and indeterminate pieces in a workshop setting. Students play in both smaller subsets and as a full group and they learn about key figures in the development of European and American experimental musics through reading and listening assignments. We also discuss various philosophies and approaches to improvising in addition to exploring where and how improvisation exists in musical culture/s.

Improvisation occupies an ever more prominent role in modern music making and free music has become an important and primary musical methodology for various communities of musicians. As our musical landscape continues to evolve, discovering and developing improvisational skills greatly enhances the overall musicianship of the students who participate in CIC. The group meets Tuesdays from 7-8:30pm in the Recording Studio and is led by Dr. Selim Göncü and Dr. Bill Kalinkos. 

Pictured here: Hitt Street Records performance, with (left to right) Travis Bird, Ash Schreiber, Gavin Waldrop, Bill Kalinkos, Natalie Kalinkos, and Amelia Kalinkos.