By Daily Press staff
Cell phone interruptions have now become part of the performance for one improv artist.
Crossroads School will present music department faculty member Richard Grayson in a program of classical keyboard improvisation on March 19. As he did for the first time last year, he will take his themes from the audience members’ cell phones — which he’s asked them to bring — a concept prompted by frequent cell phone interruptions during concerts. After audience members phone each other at the start of the concert, Grayson will take a half-dozen of the best cell phone tunes to improvise on.
Grayson received his Ph.D in composition from UCLA and from 1969 to 2001 was on the faculty of Occidental College in Los Angeles. His specialties include keyboard improvisation and live electronic music.
The free show will begin at 5 p.m. at Crossroads School’s Roth Hall, 1714 21st St. There is limited street parking.
Crossroads School is considered one of the leading college preparatory schools in the nation. In its 34-year history, Crossroads School has developed a reputation for academic excellence with virtually 100 percent of its students graduating to distinguished colleges.
Crossroads School was founded upon five basic commitments: to academic excellence; to the arts; to the greater community; to the development of a student population of social, economic, and racial diversity; and to the development of each student’s physical well-being and full human potential. Gay play delves into bigger issues
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 10, 2006. Read the original PDF.