Teaching

Toledo has given courses, workshops and lectures in several musical institutions such as Columbia University, New York University, Syracuse University, Stanford University, University of the Arts, Berlin, in Mexico at the UNAM, Radio Educación, and Ensenada, in Argentina at the IUNA, Centro Recoletta, UNL, UNaM, CEAMC, in Uruguay at the UNR, UNCUYO, and others. 

Columbia University, Department of Music

Music Humanities: 20th Century Music Styles & Techniques

Course description: We will study the most important contributions to music of the second half of the 20th century to the present through the works and writings of composers. Texts, interviews, and written documents focused on the aesthetic ideas, techniques and methods will be confronted. In order to evaluate the significance of the significant composers and their musical conceptions, we will investigate the way their compositional process through the analysis/reflection and discussion of selected compositions.  Composer’s ideas on other composers are also part of the reading materials.

Seminar: A Map of Noise in the Music of the 20th Century

Course description: We will explore the 20th century music repertoire by composers that have explored new possibilities of musical materials and compositional strategies. The specific goal of the course is to awaken and encourage the appreciation of new sound materials produced on traditional western musical instruments as well as in the electroacoustic media. Students should listen to selected compositions, read and analyze specific scores focusing on the exploration of new complex sounds and instrumental techniques considering the historical and cultural contexts of the compositions. Students should summarize the historical evolution of new musical materials by grouping the different expressions and uses into seven noise paradigms: Percussion instruments, New acoustic instruments , Musique Concrete, Electronic music, Tone-clusters, New instrumental techniques, & The voice.

Independent Workshops for Composers & Performers

New Techniques in Traditional Instruments

This workshop is designed to give student composers and performers the possibility of exploring the new repertoire of compositions that have expanded the use of traditional instrumental techniques in the last 30 years. Participants will be exposed to new solo pieces and chamber ensemble pieces through a series of activities that include listening, score reading, analysis, performance and short composition exercises based on the sound materials and instrumental techniques of the works. The interaction composer/performer is an essential aspect of this workshop. There will be a final presentation of the compositions which will be organized by instrumental families following both, an increasing level of difficulty and if necessary a chronological sequence in order to appreciate the different explorations in terms of sound and techniques. Special interest will be given to musical notation.