Collected Creativities [ARJazz]

Emma Hedrick

When starting a composition, waiting for the fabled “inspiration to hit” can be unreliable at best and frustrating at worst. To investigate this issue, I look at how experts in other art disciplines approach the practice of creativity, specifically when beginning a new project, which, in composition, equates to starting a new piece. This paper explores how encounters with six creativity exercises originating from the disciplines of writing, choreography, and visual art can result in new possible approaches to jazz composition. The approaches explored include a Daily Method from author Julia Cameron, an Animal Method from poet Ted Hughes, a Haiku Method from authors Linda Anderson and Derek Neale, an Improvisational Method from choreographer Twyla Tharp, a Habit Method from choreographer Jonathan Burrows, and a Modeling Method from visual artist Austin Kleon. Throughout my research, I tested these six methods in my compositional practice and recorded the musical outcomes. I then shared three methods with musical colleagues to try before collecting their thoughts. In each method, I will recount my writing process using the method, my journal entries, and my overall thoughts. In the animal, haiku, and improvisation methods, I will also compare this to the experience of my colleagues. Each section will conclude with a musical work created from the method and my own evaluation of the resulting composition. The research demonstrates viable conceptual strategies for approaching jazz composition derived from other art disciplines and suggests that creative practice can be both accessible and sustainable over the long term.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of the people and organizations who made the completion of this research possible.

Thank you to my research supervisor Emlyn Stam for his guidance throughout the process. I would also like to thank Yvonne Smeets for the discussions and Anka Koziel and Wolfert Brederode for their musical feedback. I am grateful to the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague for the opportunity to pursue this research during my studies.

I am very appreciative to the Stichting de Zaaier foundation for their grant support that funded the creation of the Composition Journals.

I would like to express my appreciation to the 10 composers who generously volunteered their time and feedback while participating in the research. Thanks also to all the musicians featured in the recordings for bringing my compositions to life.

Thank you to all my teachers and mentors past and present who have inspired me. A special thank you to Dr. Charlie Christenson who first encouraged me to start composing and Dr. Stephen Guerra Jr. who helped to introduce me to composition from other perspectives.

And finally, thanks to my friends and family for their support during this project. I could not have done it without you.

Emma Hedrick

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Emma Hedrick - Collected Creativities [ARJazz] - 2025