From 1950-1960 the legendary experimental composer John Cage was involved with academic courses at The New School. Fellow composer and New School faculty member Henry Cowell brought Cage in to participate in performances and discussions from 1950-1956, and from 1956-1960 Cage was a faculty member. This course will examine the life and work of John Cage in the decade prior to, and through the end of his association with The New School. This examination will place Cage, his work, and his ideals in the context of the entire New York City artistic community from the mid 1940s through 1960. Cage’s friends and collaborators during this period include many luminaries in the arts including Merce Cunningham, Morton Feldman, Earle Brown, and Marcel Duchamp, and Cage’s “happenings” at Black Mountain College also emerged at this time. This is also the period that saw some of Cage’s most influential work including 4’33” and Music of Changes. This course will include significant making, students will be performing works by Cage and making new work.