The Sondheim Sound
Saturday 28th June
10:00am - 4:00pm (with 1hr lunch break at 1:00pm)
This workshop is open to ADVANCED musical improvisers.
Stephen Sondheim was one of the most influential Broadway composers and lyricists of the twentieth century. What makes the characteristic Sondheim sound? In this workshop, improvisers will learn about Sondheim’s pivotal influences (such as Babbitt, Bernstein, and Hammerstein), how to develop syllabic Sondheim lyrics and melodic structures, the key intervals that make Sondheim identifiable, and how to integrate those intervals vocally over the piano vamp characteristic of his style.
Check your level and see what workshops you’re elegible to take in our FAQ
Saturday 28th June
10:00am - 4:00pm (with 1hr lunch break at 1:00pm)
This workshop is open to ADVANCED musical improvisers.
Stephen Sondheim was one of the most influential Broadway composers and lyricists of the twentieth century. What makes the characteristic Sondheim sound? In this workshop, improvisers will learn about Sondheim’s pivotal influences (such as Babbitt, Bernstein, and Hammerstein), how to develop syllabic Sondheim lyrics and melodic structures, the key intervals that make Sondheim identifiable, and how to integrate those intervals vocally over the piano vamp characteristic of his style.
Check your level and see what workshops you’re elegible to take in our FAQ
Saturday 28th June
10:00am - 4:00pm (with 1hr lunch break at 1:00pm)
This workshop is open to ADVANCED musical improvisers.
Stephen Sondheim was one of the most influential Broadway composers and lyricists of the twentieth century. What makes the characteristic Sondheim sound? In this workshop, improvisers will learn about Sondheim’s pivotal influences (such as Babbitt, Bernstein, and Hammerstein), how to develop syllabic Sondheim lyrics and melodic structures, the key intervals that make Sondheim identifiable, and how to integrate those intervals vocally over the piano vamp characteristic of his style.
Check your level and see what workshops you’re elegible to take in our FAQ
Ritika Bhattacharjee is a Bengali-American composer, pianist, and mezzo-soprano who performs in jazz combos, plays for dance productions and classes with Ventana Ballet and Austin Community Ballet, and underscores improvised musical performances at Merlin Works Improv, The Hideout, The Fallout, and ColdTowne Theatre. She most recently served as the festival music director for IMPRO Amsterdam 2025 and orchestrated the 2024 Coca-Cola holiday commercial, released in 15 countries. Her multi-media composition portfolio includes the scores for numerous short films, video games, apps, string quartets, a contemporary ballet, and a musical.