| KlezKamp Yiddish
Song FAQ
Other FAQs: General
KlezKamp Info | Registration/Tuition
| Epes Center | Music
Program
What can I expect from my four days of vocal
music classes?
There's unfortunately no way that most of us can master a
style, or even most aspects of a style, in four days, especially
when they are as jam-packed as they are at KlezKamp. The goal
is for each student to learn what s/he needs to work on next,
and to get the guidance needed to continue to improve over
the coming year. Depending on which courses you sign up for
and your ability level, you can expect to be taught such things
as basic stylistic techniques (i.e., ornamentation, articulations,
phrasing, etc.), approaches to melodic interpretation, how
the instruments interact with the vocalist and with each other,
and how approach new repertoire. Instructors can help you
analyze the status of your singing, in terms of both technique
and style, and point you in the direction you need to move
to become a truly accomplished Yiddish singer.
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What if I get to
my class/performance group and find I'm in way over my head/way
too advanced for the rest of the group?
We make every effort to match students to classes and ensembles
based on skill levels; that's why we ask that you submit a
recording of your singing so that we can place you appropriately.
If you feel that you have ended up in a group that doesn't
seem appropriate to your level, please speak with Sherry Mayrent
or Susan Leviton, the staff members in charge of the vocal
music program, to request a switch. We strongly suggest that
you do this the first day of classes, to minimize disruption
to your own learning and to the other class members.
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What format should
I use for the recording I send in?
MP3s, CDs, wav files or tapes are all fine.
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I got to my class
and discovered that it wasn't at all what I thought it would
be, and the teacher is teaching in a way that makes it hard
for me to learn. Can I switch to something else?
If you find that after the first class session, your "shidakh"
(match) isn't quite what you'd hoped for, talk with the instructor
and see what can be done. If it seems as though you are in
the wrong place, check with either Sherry Mayrent or Susan
Leviton to see if there is an acceptable alternative. Again,
this should happen on the first day of classes.
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I'm interested in
so many different things; can I go to a different class each
day?
We think students should stick with one class for the entire
Kamp period. Our program is designed to be sequential and
substantive, and our instructors gear their classes as complete
entities. "Sampling" them would reduce the effectiveness
of individual courses and ultimately provide a less satisfying
experience for the student. In performance classes, each individual
player has a role and a responsibility, and leaving a group
midstream often means leaving the group — your fellow
students — in the lurch.
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I notice that this
year, you don't list Traditional Ensembles in the Vocal Music
section of the program. Singing with an ensemble is always
my favorite part of KlezKamp. Can't I do that this year?
In the past, integrating singers into instrumental ensembles
has been problematic because of mismatched skill levels and
a lack of interest among some instrumental students in playing
for/with singers. This year we are introducing a special ensemble
called "It's Better with
a Band". This class will teach both singers and instrumentalists
the finer points of working together in the context of traditional
Yiddish styles. Performance opportunities for participants
will include both the student concert (at the instructors'
discretion) and special concerts during the Forshpayz hour.
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I'm totally new to
the KlezKamp world; what should I take?
Good question! Here are some suggested programs for students
of various abilities/experience. Please see the catalog for
complete course descriptions, and remember that these are
just a few of the dozens of combinations possible.
Students with no Yiddish background who
have never before sung in public
- AM1 Yiddish for Singers
- AM2 Songs of War and Women
- PM1 Community Chorus or Yiddish Songs and Simcha Dances
- PM2 Women’s Voices or Klezmer Overview
Students with a background in Yiddish but
no vocal experience
- AM1 Mamas, Yentes, Khazntes or Yiddish for Singers
- AM2 Songs of War and Women
- PM1 Community Chorus or Yiddish Songs and Simcha Dances
- PM2 Women’s Voices or Klezmer Overview
Students with intermediate vocal skills
but no Yiddish experience
- AM1 Yiddish for Singers or Mamas, Yentes, Khazntes or
It’s Better with a Band
- AM2 Songs of War and Women or Intro to Yiddish or audit
Yiddish Art Song
- PM1 Community Chorus or audit Vocal Master Class
- PM2 Women’s Voices or audit Performing Yiddish Song
Students with intermediate vocal skills
and a background in Yiddish
- AM1 Mamas, Yentes, Khazntes or It’s Better with a Band
- AM2 Songs of War and Women or Intro to Yiddish or audit
Yiddish Art Song
- PM1 Community Chorus or audit Vocal Master Class
- PM2 Women’s Voices or audit Performing Yiddish Song
Advanced/professional singers with no background
in Yiddish
- AM1 Yiddish for Singers or It’s Better With a Band
- AM2 Yiddish Art Song or Songs of War and Women or Intro
to Yiddish
- PM1 Community Chorus or Vocal Master Class
- PM2 Women’s Voices or audit Performing Yiddish Song
Advanced/Professional singers with a background
in Yiddish
- AM1 It’s Better With a Band or Mamas, Yentas, Khazntes
- AM2 Yiddish Art Song or Songs of War and Women or Advanced
Yiddish
- PM1 Community Chorus or Vocal Master Class or Yiddish
Puppet Theater
- PM2 Performing Yiddish Song or Women’s Voices or Yiddish
Conversation
Students interested in Yiddish song as listeners
rather than performers
- AM1 Mamas, Yentas, Khazntes
- AM2 Songs of War and Women or Jewish Women in Music or
audit Yiddish Art Song
- PM1 open
- PM2 Women’s Voices or Klezmer Overview
You can also sign up for any of the non-musical courses;
one of the concepts behind the establishment of KlezKamp was
that the music cannot truly be understood or mastered outside
the context of the culture in which it was developed. If you
feel you can handle only one or two music classes a day, by
all means sign up for Yiddish literature or one of the many
other offerings. It might also be interesting for vocalists
to take an instrumental class, such as Variatsyes, or a violin
or clarinet class; after all, klezmer is essentially a vocal
style and learning about it can be truly ear-opening for a
singer.
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Can I record my classes?
Absolutely! In the intensive KlezKamp environment, students
can only take in so much information. These informal recordings
are lifesavers and are "gifts that keep on giving"
throughout the year.
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I feel really nervous
about singing in front of all those people. Should I forget
about performing and do something else instead?
Not to worry. The KlezKamp community is one of the most
supportive and appreciative audience you will ever find. We
are confident that if you sign for one of the performing classes
or ensembles, you will not only have a wonderful time but
perhaps even banish the demon of stage fright forever.
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I’d really like to
take Performing Yiddish Song, Vocal Master Class and/or Yiddish
Art Song, but I have no idea what to sing. How should I decide?
The purpose of the master class is to give the student an
opportunity to get feedback on their developing style from
both an accomplished, experienced instructor and from other
students at the same level of development. In order for this
feedback to be meaningful, you should pick something that
represents your "best shot" — a piece that you sing
well in your view and that you can perform comfortably. It
probably shouldn't be something you learn the night before
the first class, unless what you really want is suggestions
about interpretation of that particular piece.
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This is going to be
my first time at KlezKamp, and I won't know anyone. How can
I find people to sing/eat with?
Though a lot of newcomers arrive at KlezKamp feeling intimidated
by the huge numbers of apparently proficient performers who
have been coming for years, the fact is that each year, at
least 50% of kampers are there for the first time, and a large
proportion of those are musicians. You will meet people in
your classes, in the elevator, and at meals. There are no
assigned seats, and you'll probably find yourself drifting
from your AM2 class into lunch with a classmate, or coming
from a forshpayz session with
someone in that group. If not, just sit down somewhere and
ask someone what they're studying at kamp (if they don't ask
you first). Our community tends to be quite welcoming and
friendly, and you'll soon feel a part of it.
If you hear someone whose playing or singing you like/admire,
ask if s/he wants to get together after the evening program
to find a quiet spot to make music in. If you think that your
ensemble is floundering, ask folks if they want to get together
for a little extra practice. Don't be shy! If you want to
be singing with people, don't wait for them to come to you;
go to them. Don't forget that all the other musicians there
have come for the same reasons you have, and they're probably
feeling (or have not so long ago felt) the same way you feel
now.
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I’m used to
singing with an accompanist, but my piano player won’t
be coming to KlezKamp. Will there be anyone there who can
play with me?
In most of the performance classes, there
will be a professional accompanist provided to work with all
the singers in the class. Similarly, in It’s Better With a
Band, you will have a whole ensemble to provide your accompaniment.
For less formal occasions, such as jam sessions or an evening
cabaret, feel free to approach people whose playing you enjoy
and ask if they are interested in accompanying you. Remember
that everyone, both staff and students, are at KlezKamp because
they love making music, and most will be happy to help you
out. |
