On Creating Music Together retreats, we work as much as possible in the silence. Preparing food, washing the dishes, or cleaning the house, we work with as little talking as possible. During the 24 hours of silence on the Retreats in Place, we try to practice this at home with our families. Some of us have found the practice useful to apply in other situations.

Eve Beglarian, Evelyn Emile, and Mary Madigan describe their experiences with Broken Silence

Composer Craig Shepard directs Music for Contemplation in New York. He trained as an orchestral trombonist with Frank Crisafulli, and studied Renaissance sacred music with Ulrich Eichenberger in Switzerland. A member of Wandelweiser, he studied with Michael Pisaro, took a Deep Listening Course with Pauline Oliveros, and has worked with Antoine Beuger, Jürg Frey, and Christian Wolff.

People who have applied or are considering applying to the upcoming Creating Music Together retreat (January 2-9, in Mexico) may be interested to learn more about the Assistants who will be presenting the retreat – their experience, their approach to Music and to CMT. We have asked each of the Assistants to answer some questions, so that attendees and prospective attendees can get to know us a little better. Our first Assistant is Dev Ray…

Craig Shepard writes about the conception of Broken Silence.

Beth Buelow interviews Craig Shepard on Stillness, Music, and Challenging Assumptions

A round-up of some small temporary intentional communities.

"I can't do anything alone any more." Creating Music Together Assistants Dev Ray, Frank Sheldon, Erin Rogers, Tony Geballe and Craig Shepard talk about the project and why they are committed to it.

Craig Shepard discusses Andrew Lafkas work.