Instrumental Music Program  

For guidance in selecting courses for your experience level, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. We recommend that each of you take no more than one offering in each of the following three areas:

The instrumental music program at KlezKamp is designed to provide insights and challenges to instrumentalists at all levels of proficiency and familiarity with klezmer style. We offer classes in both theoretical and practical topics and give students many opportunities to play and perform throughout the week.

I: Klezmer Theory

Klezmer Overview/PM2 Sherry Mayrent

Take a trip through the sonic world of the shtetl. This class examines the Jewish vocal sources of klezmer style, the modes that comprise traditional melody, as well as harmonic and rhythmic elements in traditional Yiddish instrumental music. For both musicians (instrumental and vocal) and non-musicians wishing to listen to the music with a more educated ear.

Modal Matrixing/AM1 Josh Horowitz

This class explores the vast modulation possibilities in klezmer music. Part theory, part playing, part ear training and part exploration, students will learn to identify and play simple and complex modal modulations. They will also learn how to predict modulation types from the beginning section of a tune and to understand tune types according to their modulation structures. For intermediate and advanced musicians with some understanding of theory who have experience playing by ear.

II: Focused Practical Learning

For these classes, players must submit a recording representing their current skill level with their registration so that they can be placed appropriately.

Beginning Instruments/PM1 Jake Shulman-Ment

This class, aimed at students who are not sufficiently skilled to benefit from instruction in the elements of klezmer style, will introduce traditional klezmer modes, how to learn tunes by ear and about the mechanics of the music.

Instruments/PM1

These classes, grouped by specific instrument, are aimed at the intermediate or advanced student on that instrument who seeks instruction in the specific techniques of klezmer playing and an understanding of how that instrument functions in a klezmer band.

Master Class (Clarinet)/PM1 Andy Statman

Though focused on the clarinet, emphasis will be on developing an innate understanding on playing melodiesin the klezmer style. Please bring prepared tunes to play

Master Class (Mandolin)/PM2 Andy Statman

A hands-on master class for mandolinists, focusing on technique.

Variatsyes/PM1 Josh Horowitz

Using a "Simon says" ear playing approach, students will learn to view tunes as a collection of motives, with pillar notes and spaces between them that can be filled without relinquishing the character of the motive. For all melody players.

Girls Don't Play Drums!/AM1 Elaine Hoffman Watts

Did your parents ever say this to you? If so, this class is for you! Drum lessons for all those women and girls who always wanted to play them!!

III: Playing/Performance

By offering a wide variety of coached playing/performance options geared for all levels of playing ability, we provide an interesting and varied experience that will continue to help students grow year after year. In order to ensure proper placement, participants must submit a recording representing their current skill level.

This year, we are offering a new ensemble for instrumentalists interested in honing their ability to accompany singers, an important skill for most contemporary klezmer ensembles.

Beginners' Ensemble/AM2 Aaron Alexander

Based on the popular Slow Jam, this group will concentrate on playing through a relatively large number of tunes over the course of the week. Beginning students will gain experience playing in all genres and try out what they have learned in their instrument classes.

Traditional Ensembles/AM2

These ensembles will generally work towards preparing a piece for presentation at the student concert. Participants will be grouped by level of proficiency according to instrumentation usually found in klezmer ensembles. Suitable for any level, but participants MUST submit a recording to ensure proper placement.

Mandolin Orchestra/AM1 Eric Stein

This ensemble is designed for intermediate/advanced players of any plucked or struck string instrument (mandolin, guitar, string bass, banjo, tsimbl, etc.), as well as for singers. The group will work partly by ear and partly from written arrangements created especially for this year’s students.

Fidl Kapelye/AM1 Deborah Strauss

The Fidl Kapelye offers an opportunity for students to experience an older "string band" sound. Open to all bowed stringed instrument players.

Make Them Dance!/AM1 Jim Guttmann, Sherry Mayrent and Steve Weintraub

Klezmer, originally dance music, has become divorced from dancing by many of today’s klezmorim. Participants will take turns playing music for each other to dance to, developing a deeper understanding of what makes music danceable. Open to intermediate and advanced students.

Youth Orchestra/AM2 Michael Winograd

Klezmorim ages 8-17 who study an instrument or play in their school band are invited to join. Music will be learned by ear. Children participating in the KlezKids program will be brought to the session.

Carpathian Jewish Wedding Ensemble/AM2 Jake Shulman-Ment

This ensemble will give intermediate and advanced students an opportunity to explore and perform the lesser-known Jewish wedding repertoire of Transylvania and Maramures (now northwestern Romania). A handful of aging Gypsy fiddlers in this rural, mountainous region still remember the music they played for the Jewish (mostly Hungarian- and Yiddish-speaking) communities before World War II. We will listen to their playing in recent field recordings, explore ornamentation styles and rhythmic feels less commonly found in klezmer music, and re-create the sound of an old world traditional Hungarian-Jewish wedding band. Open to intermediate and advanced players of all instruments, special consideration given to bowed and plucked strings, accordion, and poyk.

Electric Klezmer Band (for Teens of all Ages)/AM2 Jeff Warschauer

For electric guitar, bass and drums. Other loud instruments and singers welcome, too. PA system provided, but bring your own amplifier.

It's Better with a Band!: Singing with a Band/Playing for a Singer/AM1 Joanne Borts and Adrian Banner

Intensive workshop for advanced vocalists and ensemble instrumentalists, focusing on "how to play well with others.” Singers should bring lead sheets/charts for at least 5 pieces; Musicians should read and be familiar with standard repertoire. An indispensable "How To" for adding a vocalist to your ensemble, speaking the same musical 'language' and keeping it real. For advanced singers, players and potential bandleaders.

Dance Bands

These bands are a great way for advanced students to learn staples of the klezmer repertoire. Those who sign up for the band are making a commitment to perform several evenings, often quite late at night.

Reading from Music Band/PM2 Pete Sokolow

This group will work from printed music provided by the instructor. This is your opportunity to channel the great Yiddish theater orchestras of old.

Learning by Ear Band/PM2 Michael Winograd

This ensemble will learn dance tunes entirely by ear.

Hasidic Dance Band/PM2 Binyomin Ginzberg

This group will work from written music of contemporary Hasidic repertoire, focusing specifically on the tunes used in the Yiddish Songs and Simcha Dance class.

Slow Jam

The now-traditional slow jam will again take place during the free hour before dinner. A collection of tunes with simplified melody lines will be available for purchase at the Epes Center for those who choose to read music; a CD of source materials is also available for those who prefer to learn by ear. No enrollment is required.