KlezFest: Music, Song and Dance
Sunday 9 - Friday 14 August
KlezFest is a stimulating week of intensive, inspirational workshops and
Masterclasses. Led by top professionals in the field from all over the
world, it offers a packed programme for amateur and professional musicians,
singers and dancers from classical and folk backgrounds from Britain,
Europe and further afield.
‘The week was dramatically important to me. As you said it would,
it fed my soul. I learned, danced, sang, played my instrument, played
in ensembles. I met fabulous people and spent quality time in structured
and unstructured settings. Plus it was FUN FUN FUN!’ (Philadelphia)
There are distinct strands for instrumental klezmer music, Yiddish song
and Yiddish dance. Participants may choose a particular strand –
or combine classes in music, song and dance.
‘I felt deeply impressed by the melting experiences of music,
dancing, singing (nigunim) and by the co-operation among the instrumental
faculty’
Registration and official opening: Sunday 3:00pm.
Workshops and activities: Monday to Friday 9:00am to 11:00pm.
Courses will be held at SOAS, University of London – at the Vernon Square Campus, Penton Rise, London, WC1X 9EW (near Kings Cross).
What will be special about KlezFest 2009?
Whatever your level of expertise you should come away from KlezFest 2009 with more knowledge of what ‘Klezmer’ is and where it comes from as well as new and improved repertoire, technique and ornamentation.
In addition we will have a session for all in how to create and lead an
ensemble, how to indicate changes of key – how to throw the melody
between different instruments – how to use the strengths and talents
of the players. And there will be sessions for all these ensembles on
how to present yourself on stage and to give an audience a good time with
renowned opera coach Jennifer Hamilton.
All students will have a free copy of the OUP book ‘Klezmer Fiddle
– a how-to guide by Ilana Cravitz. This book with its fabulous tunes;
its detailed background information; descriptions of style elements and
accompanying CD is a groundbreaking and welcome addition to learning and
teaching klezmer. No matter what your instrument this will be an invaluable
tool for all.
Special this year, for those who wish, is a course on How to Teach Klezmer
and run klezmer workshops, including the provision of resources for workshops
with children and adults based on Ilana Cravitz’s book. We will
also learn how to take klezmer into the wider community with experienced
community educator Ros Hawley, (with a certificate of attendance at this
course) at the end of the week.
‘I feel this has a long term importance for Klezmer music in
the UK- it would give the Klezmer genre more recognition in the community
arts/music scene long term’. (Ros Hawley)
And you will get a free KlezFest insulated mug to use all day and be eco-friendly
Still hesitant? To see if KlezFest
is for you click here ...
See the timetable...
Download a press release ...
Who's Who?
Frank London (USA) of Grammy award winning band The Klezmatics heads a talented internationally recognised group of skilled teachers and instrumentalists singers and dancers:
- Monica Acosta
- Ilana Cravitz
- Christian Dawid
- Ros Hawley
- Sanne Mörricke
- Andreas Schmitges
- Emma Stiman
- Guy Schalom
- Polina Shepherd
- Sophie Solomon
- Paul Tkachenko
- Abbi Wood
with expert help from opera coach Jennifer Hamilton.
KlezFest Concerts
Klezmer
Klimax! - the ultimate Klezmer Concert – 12 August 8.00pm at the Jazz Cafe.
This annual extravaganza of Klezmer delights brings to London some of
the biggest names in Klezmer in the UK directed by Award Winning Frank
London (Klezmatics, Frank London's Klezmer Brass Allstars, Hassidic New
Wave).
Click here to book tickets for Klezmer Klimax.
Presented by the Jewish Music Institute
This year the course is based at the University of London
on the SOAS Vernon Square Campus near Kings Cross.
Fees and registration: e-mail y.glass@jmi.org.uk
020 8909 2445
Download a list of suggested
resources
Updated 7 February 2009
On this site:
