Classwork at the Creative Musicians Retreat draws its inspiration from The Walden School Musicianship Course, the cornerstone of The Walden School training method. It is an organized approach to the study of music in which students are led to discover new materials and concepts for themselves. Following discovery, they are given thorough aural, keyboard and written drill work in each area of study. Finally, they are encouraged to apply the materials to an improvisation or a composition. Musicianship begins with a foundation in basic acoustics and proceeds through intervals, triads, and modes to functional harmony. Musicianship classes offer lessons in basic acoustics, intervals, major and minor triads, cycles, modes, functional harmony, advanced/extended harmonic language, jazz musicianship and analysis, among other topics.
In 2011, Musicianship classes were taught by Marshall Bessières, Loretta Notareschi, and Leo Wanenchak.
