Archive: International Seminar of Jazz and other musics
29 August - 2 September 2005 - Certaldo, Tuscany, Italy

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An intuitive approach to making music and the opportunity to enjoy the experience of life in the heart of the Tuscany.

aims • teachers/performers • programme
special events/workshops • concerts • costs
right course for you? • certaldo/getting there

Principal Aims of the course

To offer high quality, inspiring tuition for instrumentalists and vocalists from all backgrounds.

To provide a creative environment where musicians can share ideas and learn from each other.

To develop overall musicianship - with particular emphasis on time, touch, tone and ensemble playing.

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Teachers and performers

Louis Stewart (Ireland)...guitar performing
Gilad Atzmon (Palestine)...Saxes and ethnic wind teaching and performing
Stephen Keogh (Ireland)...drums teaching and performing
Greg Burk (Italy/USA)...piano/kybds teaching and performing
Arnold Somogyi (UK/Hungary)...Bass teaching and performing
Alfred Kramer (Switzerland/Italy)...drums performing
Sandro Gibellini (Italy)...guitar teaching and performing
Kevin Dean (Canada)...brass teaching and performing
Marianne Racine (Switzerland)...voice teaching and performing
Michael Coady (Ireland) ...bass performing

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Programme

A very full and varied programme of events is available to participants.

Monday:

10.00 - 12.30 - Registration

12.30 - Lunch and welcome

3.00 - 5.00 - Special Activity (see "Special Activities" below)

Evening Concert

Tuesday - Thursday

9.45 - 11.00: Instrumental tuition with same instrument teachers

11.00 - Break

11.20 - 12.30: Continue 

12.30 - Lunch

1.30-3.00: Special activities

3.00: Break

3.30 - 5.00: Small band coaching

Friday

9.45 - 11.00 Instrumental tuition with same instrument teachers

11.00 - Break

11.20 - 12.30: Tuition with teachers of other instruments.
What are good drummers looking for in a bass player? What should a pianist do behind a sax solo?
Making music in a group is a collaborative process. This session is designed to introduce the student to the performance perspective of other instrumentalists.

12.30 - Lunch

1.30-3.00: Special activities

3.00: Break

3.30 - 5.00: Small band coaching

7.00: Final Concert - Students and teachers, followed by dinner and Jam session at Antica Fonte Bar/Restaurant

Informal and spontaneous events are encouraged. In addition to the daily timetable and there is a programme of concerts throughout the duration of the seminar. There are plenty of opportunities to play and listen at the course Jazz Club in the Antica Fonte Bar/Restaurant.

The Seminar culminates with a final concert in which the students and teachers participate.

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Special Activities

Workshops

World Music Ear Training
- a body integrative approach to building musicianship skills - by Greg Burk

Pulse and Sound - by Stephen Keogh

Harmony - by Heiner Franz

Alexander Technique for Musicians - by Val Keogh
Val Keogh is a musician and teacher of the Alexander Technique which he has been teaching for the last ten years at the Frankfurt Musikhochschule and in private practice.

F.M. Alexander discovered a natural rhythm present in the body and operating in the sensory and motivating nervous system. One of the principle causes of stress and disease is the distortion of this rhythm. In human life this manifests as malcoordination and diminishing of potential in all activities. One area where this can be seen clearly is in performance and music making.

By discovering through observation where and how we habitually arrest the flow of movement in ourselves, and by letting go of these habitual patterns, we learn to move and express ourselves more freely and dramatically increase our potential.

Jazz Panorama - an overview of the history of Jazz - by Arnie Somogyi

Listening Session - with Kevin Dean

New Technology in Music: an introduction - with Andrew Condon

Audio Visual Zone

A space dedicated to working with image and photography, music and sound. Laia Suñer and Andrew Condon.

Painting

Renowned Irish painter Michael McWilliams will exhibit past and new work.

Concerts

A programme of concerts throughout the duration of the seminar with top international musicians.

Jam Sessions

At the Antica Fonte Bar/Restaurant each night until midnight.

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Concert programme:

Gilad Atzmon as
Greg Burk p
Arnold Somogyi p
Stephen Keogh d

Louis Stewart
Heiner Franz
Sandro Gibellini

Wednesday 31 August, 9.30pm
Garden of  Palazzo Pretorio
 
Louis Stewart - Kevin Dean Quartet

Louis Stewart g 
Kevin Dean tp
Mick Coady b
Stephen Keogh d

Thursday 1 September, 9.30pm
Garden of Casa del Boccaccio
 
Marianne Racine Group

Marianne Racine voc
Sandro Gibellini g
Arnie Somogyi   b
Alfred Kramer d 

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How much does it cost?

All price options include fee for the course, accommodation and allow entry into all workshops, special activities, concerts and jam sessions. Lunch will be provided each day. We have also negotiated free public transport for anyone connected to the seminar.

Budget €479
This is the ideal package for students or those coming in a group. Accommodation will be in shared rooms in the town of Certaldo within easy reach of the course.

Comfort €675
For those who want more comfort and to be able to experience the feeling of living in a Tuscan village. Accommodation will be in private rooms in apartments in Certaldo Alto's beautiful medieval quarter.

Luxury €1200
Very high quality accommodation in the form of villa, farmhouse or hotel in the beautiful Chianti countryside close to Certaldo. The price includes car service with chauffeur - 1 return journey per day from your accommodation to the seminar at Certaldo Alto.

*We can also arrange accommodation for you if you want to arrive early or stay on for a few days after the seminar. Just let us know well in advance.

Applications: send email to certaldo@globalmusicfoundation.org with name, contact details and instrument.

As places on the course will be limited we recommend reserving as soon as possible.

Payment: To secure a place on the seminar send deposit of €200 using either of the following methods:

1. Cheque or bank draft made payable to Global Music Foundation. Please enclose a note stating which course you are reserving for. Post to:
GLOBAL MUSIC FOUNDATION
144 Main Street
Shadwell
Leeds
LS17 8JB

2. send bank transfer to the following: IBAN GB50 BARC 20956140699314. Send a photocopy of the bank slip with your name to the address above and please state clearly which course you are reserving for.

Remainder of fee for chosen option must be paid before July 22nd 2005. You may also pay the full amount now using either of the two methods mentioned above.

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The right course for you?

The course is open to all keen musicians aged 17+. There is no upper age limit as our experience has shown that age difference isn't important where an enthusiasm for music is shared.

The course is not aimed at complete beginners. You will benefit most if you already have some experience playing in a group, brass band, big band, wind ensemble or orchestra.

When and where?

29 August - 2 September 2005

Registration will be from 10.00 - 1.00 on Monday 29 August.

After full payment is received you will be sent an email with full details.

First activity will be at 3.30 on Monday 29 August.

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Certaldo

Situated between Florence and Siena, and facing San Gimignano, Certaldo Alto stands on a hill-top in the heart of the Elsa valley. In this enchanting village, history and traditions run deep: the author of "Decameron", Giovanni Boccaccio, lived here.

The lanes and squares, dominated by the 12th century Palazzo Pretorio; the romanesque architecture; the 13th century paintings - all this makes an ideal setting for the arts and cultural events. The welcoming people of Certaldo, the convivial cuisine and the beautiful local crafts will all contribute to a delightful stay in Tuscany.

Getting there

By plane: the airports of Pisa (Galileo Galilei, connected to the railway) and Florence (Peretola) can be reached with a one-hour car-ride.By train: Certaldo is situated on the Florence-Siena line.

By car: Take the highway Florence-Siena and exit at Poggibonsi Nord, then follow the direction "Empoli". Otherwise take the highway Florence - Pisa - Livorno, exit at Empoli Ovest and follow the direction "Siena".

By bus: The SITA busses connect Florence to Certaldo.

Distances:

Florence 40 km/25 mi, Siena 30 km/20 mi, Pisa and Livorno 50 km/30 mi and San Giminiano 10 km/6 mi.

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