JMI KlezFest Timetable 2008
modified 04 February 2008

To give you an idea about how KlezFest works, here is an overview of the main KlezFest days and what is in store for you.

Dance and Nigun Session for all
AM1 9:00 - 10:45 Monday - Friday
This session is for everyone at KlezFest. After a short warm-up, Andreas Schmitges and Steve Weintraub will be leading you through some of the best loved Klezmer dances. This is followed by a half an hour session where everyone learns to sing a nign (a wordless melody) with several faculty members, to get you in a musical mood for the rest of the day.

Core Subject and Repertoire course
AM2 11:15 - 1:00 (Monday - Thursday)
This four-day course is designed to bring students to a deeper level of knowledge on a particular subject and will involve a lot of practical work as well as theory. Students will be able to choose from a large list of subjects which will include instrumental, dance and vocal specific classes as well as some inter-disciplinary classes. Some classes will be specifically designed for newcomers to Klezmer while others will deal in advanced techniques, concepts and ideas and would be suitable for more experienced players. You will be sent the list of courses in advance of KlezFest and will be asked to select the course you would like to attend. Numbers may be limited in some courses.

Instrumental and Advanced classes, Stirring the Space, Vocal Masterclasses
PM1 2:15 - 3:30 (Monday, Tuesday Thursday)
Musicians will be attend instrument-specific classes giving them an opportunity to work with a teacher on their instrument and discover or improve instrument-related techniques and style. Advanced and experienced Klezmorim will work with Frank London on advanced techniques such as creating Klezmer arrangements, improvisation and composition. Meanwhile, dance teachers Steve Weintraub and Andreas Schmitges will be working with students to stir the space and get a party off the ground. Meanwhile vocalists will choose between vocal masterclasses with Shura Lipovsky, Polina Shepherd and Joanne Borts, and Ladino repertoire classes with Monica Acosta.

Ensemble Classes
PM2 4:00 - 5:15 (Monday to Thursday, plus 11:15 - 1:00 Friday)
For the first time, ensemble classes will be inter-disciplinary, combining music, song and dance led by teams of KlezFest faculty. In the ensembles students will learn how a Klezmer performance is put together and will be able to sing, dance and play as part of the piece. A list describing each ensemble and who is teaching it will be sent out in advance and students will be able to sign up for their favourite ensemble in advance. Performances by all ensembles will take place on Friday afternoon, an extra-special KlezFest event.

Free choice class
PM3 5:30 - 6:45 (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)
"Klez Factor" - the KlezFest answer to the popular television programme is where Klezmer bands attending KlezFest will be invited to perform before a Faculty panel who will work with the band to improve their performance and sellability. Great fun to watch as audience! For anyone wishing to push their vocal strings a bit more, Polina Shepherd will be running her popular choir which will get a chance to perform on Friday. For budding drummers and percussionists, Guy Schalom will be leading a Klezmer drum workshop. Klezmer improvers may also like to attend Ilana Cravitz's instrument tuition workshop to polish up their technique.

Evening Activities
Following the evening meal (7:00 - 8:15 apart from Wednesday and Friday) evening activities commence. There is something different on every night:

Monday 11 August
A celebration to launch Ilana Cravitz's new book - Klezmer: A how-to Guide" published with Open University Press. Followed by "Remembering Michael" an evening of music and dance to remember our good friend Michael Kahan, led by Ros Hawley with dance leaders Andreas Schmitges and Steve Weintraub

Tuesday 12 August
KlezFest: Next Generation - a time for new talent to emerge, new bands to perform and a glimpse into the future of Klezmer. Klezmer bands attending KlezFest should sign up for this when they register.

Wednesday 13 August
The Faculty concert also known as Klezmer Klimax Concert will take place in the evening in WLS Synagogue. Featuring the top Klezmer musicians in the world, this is, as always, one of the best Klezmer concerts you will ever get to see! Free for KlezFesters.

Thursday 13 August
Performance by guest Israeli band, Andra Lamoussia and Moshe Berlin plus guests, this promises to be a rich, Israeli Klezmer fusion experience.

Friday evening
There is no better way to end KlezFest than around a table filled with great Jewish food, singing niggunim and dancing with all your KlezFest friends and teachers. It really is one of the best KlezFest experiences you will have.

A full timetable will be available to all students near the time of the course.

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