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

Jewish Vocal Sources of Klezmer Style/AM1 Sherry Mayrent

Take a trip through the sonic world of the shtetl. This presentation will explore the Eastern European Jewish oral traditions that contributed all the major elements of klezmer style, including khazones, the rhythms of Yiddish, and the music of the Hasidim… For both musicians (instrumental and vocal) and non-musicians wishing to listen to the music with a more educated ear.

Cantorial Modality and Improvisation for Instrumentalists and Singers/PM1 Jeff Warschauer

This class reviews the basic modal system of cantorial and klezmer music and explores text-based improvisation within one mode, as well as modulations from mode to mode. Part theory, but very hands-on, this ensemble is open to instrumentalists and singers, and is designed to move at an advanced pace.

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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/AM1 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, and discuss how to learn tunes by ear and the mechanics of the music.

Instruments/AM1

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.

Improv Templates/AM2 Josh Horowitz

The how-to of creating mode and harmony-based forms on the spot, using pre-existing kale bazetsns, doinas and dance structures as well as new models. For advanced melody players.

Girls Don’t Play Drums!/PM1 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!!

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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. Suitable for any level, but participants MUST submit a recording to ensure proper placement.

Mandolin Orchestra/PM2 Jeff Warschauer

For intermediate/advanced players of any plucked or struck string instrument (mandolin, guitar, string bass, banjo, tsimbl, etc).

Fidl Kapelye/PM1 Deborah Strauss

Open to all bowed stringed instruments.

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Make Them Dance!/PM2 Jim Guttmann, Sherry Mayrent and Steve Weintraub

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. Dancers are always welcome.

Youth Orchestra/AM2 Dan Blacksburg (see KlezKids)

Carpathian Jewish Wedding Ensemble/AM2 Jake Shulman-Ment

Maramures, in the northeastern Carpathians, had a huge pre-Holocaust Jewish population. This ensemble will focus on the wedding music of this group, learned from a few old Gypsy violinists living in villages there who used to play for the Jews before the war. Singers are welcome.

21st Century Klezmer/PM2 Frank London

Someone’s in the Kitchen With Molly-Live Film Score Creation/PM1 Marilyn Lerner

In keeping with the AshkeNosh theme, we'll "cook up" a live soundscape together to accompany Molly Picon in that famous Yom Kippur/Synagogue/Kitchen scene from the Yiddish silent classic "East and West." We'll use improvised and traditional music to weave together a really cool soundtrack. An adventure! Not for beginners.

It's Better with a Band!: Singing with a Band/Playing for a Singer/AM2 Joanne Borts and Ken Maltz

Intensive workshop for advanced vocalists and ensemble instrumentalists, focusing on “how to play well with others” in Yiddish. Singers should bring lead sheets/charts for at least 5 pieces; musicians should read and be familiar with standard repertoire.

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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/PM1 Pete Sokolow
• Learning by Ear Band/PM2 Michael Winograd
• Hasidic Dance Band/PM2 Ken Maltz

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Slow Jam/Forshpayz Hour Sherry Mayrent

The now-traditional slow jam will again take place during the free hour before dinner. Tunes are drawn from "Klezmer for Everyone," a specially prepared series of book/CD sets available at the Epes Center for a nominal fee. No enrollment is required.