the KlezmerShack

Week 1: Yiddish language

Ot Azoy!

Sunday 29 June - Friday 4 July 2003

This is the way to speak, read and write Yiddish in a week!
A Brilliant Crash Course in Yiddish language and culture
This is the second year we are running the course. Last year it was so
popular every minute was relished by all. Book early as this is limited to
50 students. It is designed for various levels: from people who want to
start from scratch who may not know the Hebrew alphabet to those who are at
intermediate level - and even above. The outstanding faculty are a privilege
to work with. The course is led by
Chayele Beer, of University College London and with the one and only
Pesakh Fiszman of Columbia NY and
Sonia Dratwa-Pinkusowitz of the Martin Buber Institute Brussels
They make a fantastic team.

Full Rate £295 Student Rate £195 Early booking: deduct £15 if booked and
paid by May 1
book online at www.jmi.org.uk or e-mail jewishmusic@jmi.org.uk for a
registration form

Week 2 Klezmer music, song and dance
KlezFest London 2003
Sunday 6 July 11.00 am - Thursday 10 July 11.30pm

This is our third annual KlezFest in London and it will be more than ever
designed to meet the needs of instrumentalists, singers and dancers.

The most outstanding faculty members have been invited to guide and inspire
and impart their vast knowledge of Eastern European Jewish music and Yiddish
song. Expect to see
Michael Alpert for dance and song
Frank London for nigunim and brass
Deborah Strauss for violin and dance
Jeff Warschauer plucked strings
Stuart Brotman for the base line instruments
Christian Dawid for clarinet
Alan Bern (piano and accordion) will be the music co-ordinator and he has
prepared a vigorous curriculum with clear emphasis on the elements of
Klezmer, the style, ornamentation, rhythms and how to set up a band.
There will be masterclasses for serious Yiddish singers as well as the
fabulous Yiddish chorus, led by the incomparable Zalmen Mlotek.
We will even have Josh Dolgin the master of HIP HOP Klez so anything can
happen. Bands attending as a group get to perform to each other and the
public in the Klezmer the new Generation concert and even in the park. Our
own Sophie Solomon of Oi-Va-Voi and others will be on board, so do book up
now for an exhilarating week. (Oi-Va-Voi are among the last 4 bands short
listed for the BBC World Music audience award!!)

Any musician or singer interested in any aspect of Jewish music will
benefit - whether you are a composer, a soloist, a member of an orchestra, a
student at a conservatoire, a band leader or member, a jazz player, a
chorister or a cantor - or if you play, sing or dance just for fun, there is
so much for you to enjoy and imbibe at the JMI KlezFest in London.

There will be gala concert (Klezmer Klimax II) at the Queen Elizabeth Hall,
Sunday 6 July 8.00pm hosted by the renowned group from Germany via New
York - Brave Old World. We might even get to hear the British Premiere of
the Hip Hop Khasene. For concert tickets the public can telephone 020 7960
4242 after May 1 or book at www.sbc.org.uk (for participants at KlezFest
this is free)

KlezFest Full Rate £295 Student Rate £195 Early booking: deduct £15 if
booked and paid by May 1
In fact there is good reason to come for both weeks. Ot Azoy! and KlezFest
are closely connected and those learning Yiddish will be able to continue
their Yiddish studies as well as imbibe singing dancing drama and music.
For instrumentalists your clarinet (or fiddle) will sound better when you
have learned the Yiddish language. For singers what can I say, both these
weeks are indispensable and here on your doorstep, in the UK the gateway to
Europe. Those who did both weeks last year found they complemented each
other so well. (Imagine the withdrawal symptoms when the fortnight
eventually came to an end).

There is a reduction of £45 if you come for both weeks.
(scholarships are available for those unable to afford the full fee - please
don't hesitate to ask about these)

Hotel (£65 per night) or University accommodation (£25 per night) can be
booked for you (see registration form for details) Those needing
accommodation please book this as soon as possible, by 1 April if you can,
or we cant guarantee rooms. Please indicate your needs as soon as possible.
Register now: e-mail jewishmusic@jmi.org.uk for a registration form:

If you have any queries please email us at e-mail jewishmusic@jmi.org.uk
Watch the website www.jmi.org.uk for further details of faculty and
programme.

As part of the Summer School, JMI is also running a Jewish Choral Festival
for ten days from 16 - 26 June. This includes a full day workshop at SOAS
on Sunday 22 June with visiting Choral Director Stephen Glass from Montreal,
an opportunity for visitors to work with London choirs towards a massed
choir concert at St John's, Smith Square on 26 June. For more details see
the Website www.jmi.org.uk or e-mail jewishmusic@jmi.org.uk

Ot Azoy! and KlezFest are organised and presented by the Jewish Music
Institute SOAS, University of London
in association with the Department of Music SOAS
SOAS Language Centre
London Jewish Cultural Centre and YaD. It is Supported by the Jewish
Chronicle.