Former Professor Thrives In Life After SUNY Fredonia

Last year, David Rudge left his role as Director of Orchestras and Opera for the Fredonia School of Music after 25 years at SUNY Fredonia. Part of the reason why he left were university-imposed cuts to the programs he helped establish.

"That was not really something I was interested in," Rudge said.

Rudge built the Orchestra Program at SUNY Fredonia during his 25 years at the university. In that time, Rudge also founded the Free Improvisation performance group known as The Improv. Collective, which grew in popularity and success over two decades. The program recently suffered what Rudge called "significant cuts" from SUNY Fredonia. Rudge also led an Art of Improvisation summer workshop/graduate course, which SUNY Fredonia also cut. Those cuts led to his decision to resign.

"I knew I would miss the students, so it wasn't an easy decision," Rudge said. "But I realized there would be no more building of the programs. With all the cuts being made, programs like these would be hard to maintain the quality and standards we had."

Since Rudge resigned from his position with SUNY Fredonia, he has continued to teach improvisation nationally to all ages through his program, titled 'No Wrong Notes'.

Rudge has received strong reviews from his clients since he founded No Wrong Notes. Per his website, nowrongnotes.com, Grammy Award winning cellist David Darling said,

"David exemplifies that rare talent of being able to be a gifted classical player and a wonderful improvisor. His leadership skills are exhilarating in that his love of sharing the beauty of music with all humans is first and foremost in his teaching and leading skills. It is rare to find such a gifted human being who possesses so many ideal qualities of musicianship, scholarship, and curiosity for life."

But it's not just improvisation that Rudge has spent more time devoted to. He is also forming a performance ensemble for Music for People, an experiential music education alternative that focuses on workshops to promote mindfulness through music and building a music-making community. Rudge serves as Director of Musicianship for Music for People.

Through Music for People, Rudge's Art of Improvisation summer workshop/graduate course has found a new home, at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. Rudge said there are "many exciting possibilities waiting for us" in Columbia.

But Rudge -- who is currently designated as an Emeritus Faculty member of SUNY Fredonia -- has not entirely given up teaching in Chautauqua County. He will be teaching Free Improvisation at the Chautauqua Institution for several weeks this upcoming summer.

Rudge has also taken on the role of Music Director of a professional chamber orchestra known as the Erehwon Ensemble -- a player/conductor driven organization influenced by many musical traditions. Many of the musicians associated with the Erehwon Ensemble spent time at the SUNY Fredonia School of Music. The Erehwon Ensemble's first concert is April 23 in Poughkeepsie, NY, titled "From Baroque to Blues." More information is available online at www.erehwon-ensemble.com.

Rudge has also been leading more regular conducting workshops in his time away from SUNY Fredonia. Between workshops and concerts, Rudge has enjoyed playing the violin and making pottery, which can now be found in a number of galleries in Western New York.

"I'm happy with it. It's been great," Rudge said of his new lifestyle change. "I miss the students, but this has great. It's really amazing to see outside of a structured life, what's possible."