Tuscany Jazz Vocal Summer School
Certaldo, Italy, 12 to 17 August 2007

Versione en Italiano

Study, Work and Perform with Some of the top singers and instrumentalists in Europe, led by Tina May. “Considered one of the finest jazz vocalist's the UK has ever produced” - All Music Guide

Teachers/Performers • Programme • Special activities • Prices • Applications
Location/Getting There

Teachers/Performers

Tina May

Tina has released 8 albums on 33 Records and 1 on Linn Records . She has recently recorded and performed in New York with the legendary pianist Ray Bryant ( who has played with Betty Carter , Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and numerous other jazz stars). Tina is also a respected lyricist and is in constant demand as a teacher and clinician.She has lectured at Trinity College of Music, Leeds College of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Academy of Music, Clonter Opera Trust and many other institutions. See tinamay.com

Pete Churchill

Pete Churchill has been working as a composer, pianist, singer and teacher for twenty years. Originally trained in Canada he has been based in England since 1985. He is a Professor of Jazz Studies at both the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London but his freelance work takes him all over the world - both as a performer and an educator.
His career has included work as diverse as a year in the West End as a Musical Director of 'Five Guys named Moe', considerable song-writing success (gold and platinum albums), European Jazz Festivals (with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler), ten years as the British accompanist for the legendary jazz-singer Mark Murphy and scoring big-band arrangements for Will Young and the Pop-Idols.
His critically aclaimed album, 'The Bad and the Beautiful' - recorded with the legendary saxophonist, Bobby Wellins, has been described as " a swinging, musicianly... and refreshingly under-produced" and "an example of a singer-pianist at its most intelligent".

Pete Churchill will join the course at the end of the week taking part in the Jam sessions.

Iain Mackenzie

Iain is a singer whose diversity and piano skills allow him to work in a number of areas of the music industry.
As a front- line singer, Iain is currently working with some great bands including SW11, Pete Long's 920 deluxe, Ultimate Swing, Swing City and his own jazz quintet, with whom he has recently released his debut album 'Twice On Sunday', available on Jazzizit records. He has also worked widely with vocal groups including Voxtet, The New London Jazz Voices, The Tim Whitehead group, The Kenny Wheeler Mirror Suite and The Sinfonia Of London Chorus. With these ensembles he has performed at some of the worlds most prestigious venues, including The Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Festival Hall, The Berlin Jazz Festival, and The Burj Al Arab in Dubai. He continues to perform at many high profile corporate & social functions throughout Europe.

Guillermo Rozenthuler

Guillermo Rozenthuler is an accomplished singer, guitarist and composer from Argentina who has relocated to London after a more than a decade performing the length and breadth of South America. He is a member of the award winning band "Orient House Ensemble". This year at WOMAD he will be presenting material from his latest release, ‘The Blue Hour’. Guillermo is one of the most in-demand voice coaches and activists on the London Latin scene.

Nikki Iles

An award-winning pianist and jazz educator, Nikki will work with Tina May (week 1) and help students with harmony, scales and chord symbols - as well as how to write out charts. Provional Programme

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Programme

The Tuscan International Jazz Vocal Summer School is running alongside the
Rhythms of the World Series - Samba Course As the percussionists train and learn the various different calls and rhythms, singers on the vocal course will learn some of the traditional songs as performed at the carnivals of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo. On the last day of the course there will be an open air public performance during which we will bring the joy and the spirit of carnival to Certaldo. Every night at the jam sessions there will be opportunities to play Samba Cançao in a small group setting.

The programme includes some open forum question and answer sessions where students can quiz Tina, Iain, Peter, Nikki about any area of jazz performance that they are interested in.

Experienced students will be encouraged to attempt more challenging repertoire (ie. Lush Life, Sophisticated Lady, Chelsea Bridge, Charlie Parker compositions), close harmony work( ie Take Six arrangements) and advanced scatting over be-bop changes.

Throughout the course there will be a series of masterclasses on a range of themes important to every singer - breathing technique, repertoire, improvisation and working with a rhythm section. As you will be working with a professional rhythm section in performance you will have invaluable experience with 'counting in, choosing tempos and 'feel'.

10am - 11.30: vocal warm up and Jazz Choir ( ear training - harmony singing) tutors take in turn to lead this session

Break

12.00-13.30: Tutor groups which rotate daily covering
'repertoire' or 'song class'
'impro scat', rhythms
strengthening vocal technique and 'finding' your voice,
phrasing and expression
interraction with rhythm section.etc.

13.30-15.30: Lunch

15.30-17.00: Sessions with rhythm section and tutors - experimenting with everything thats been looked at during the morning sessions.There will be 2 formal concerts during the week which feature the team.

Jams session each night - a unique opportunity to perform in public with a top rhythm section.

On the last day there will be a of all the particpants open to the public.

Also specialised classes on samba rhythms etc. interpretation, be-bop phrasing, brazilian song/south americansong

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Special Activities

Every GMF workshop features outstanding musicians who are also great communicators. Under their guidance, participants gain valuable insights and playing experience, rehearsing together towards a concert. There are classes in the various musical disciplines such as instrumental technique, harmony, ensemble playing and improvisation, and, as well as teaching individually and in groups, the tutors give performances themselves.

In addition, a unique sequence of activities is offered at a GMF workshop, which together stimulate self-awareness and creativity.

Alexander Technique - by Val Keogh

Many performing artists find the Technique an invaluable way of fine-tuning their posture and movement. These introductory classes concentrate on the relationship of the head and neck to the rest of the body. The physical and mental exercises help promote a sense of rediscovery and ease in day-to-day activities, and especially in music-making.

There will be session each morning of Alexander Technique. These sessions are included in the price of the course.

Val will also be available to teach private classes to anyone who wishes during the week. There will be a charge of 30 Euros per private lesson. Private lessons should be arranged with Val and the fee is payable directly to him.

Pulse Training - by Stephen Keogh

Pulse lies at the heart of music, and developing one’s own inner pulse is the goal of these sessions. The work fosters awareness – of the pulse, of silence, of the other members of the group. This workshop is hugely beneficial to musicians of every kind.

There will be several Pulse Training sessions during the week. Times to be arranged.

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Prices

All price options include:

• Fee for the course
• Accommodation for the dates August 12 - 17 inclusive
• Entry into all workshops, special activities, concerts and jam sessions
• Lunch will be provided each day
• Free public transport within Certaldo

A discount of 10% is available on bookings made before 30 March (this discount only applies to thoses who do not hold a valid student card).

Budget €525 - full
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. Students who hold a valid students card will be eligible for a discount of 15%.

Comfort €849 - full
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.

New Special Option €900
Due to an agreement we have with a beautiful new hotel, we are able to offer this last-minute package to a limited number of students who want to attend the Tuscany Jazz Vocal Summer School. Only 5 places available.

Accommodation at new deluxe four star Hotel Certaldo in Certaldo Basso. A short walk to the main square in Certaldo and then just take the funicular to the top of the hill to get to us.

Have a look at the hotel:

http://www.hotelcertaldo.it

We can only take 5 more students so anyone interested should get in touch as soon as possible.

Concert Visitor Option
We also offering the possibility to come to Certaldo as non-students, or people who would just like to be with us on holiday while the summer schools and festivals are on. We offer accommodation - 6 nights at Hotel Certaldo - plus entry into all of our nightly concerts and jam sessions.

Price: €739

Excursions to vineyards for wine tasting can also be organised for an extra cost. Please contact us in advance and we will let you know what is available according to your dates and budget.

*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.

Luxury €1499
Very high quality accommodation in the form of luxurious villa or hotel in the beautiful Chianti countryside close to Certaldo. The price includes car service with chauffeur - 2 return journeys per day from your accommodation to the seminar at Certaldo Alto.

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Applications

As places on the course will be limited we recommend reserving as soon as possible. Click here to apply.

Payment

To secure a place on the seminar send deposit of €250* using either of the following methods:

1. Send bank transfer. We will send you the details when you are ready to make the transfer.

2. Cheque or bank draft made payable to Global Music Foundation. Please enclose a note stating which course you are reserving for. Post to

144 Main Street
Shadwell
Leeds
LS17 8JB

UK residents please make your cheque out for the sterling equivalent. This helps us as the banks charges are very high.

3. send money by PAYPAL

* Deposit is non-refundable

Remainder of fee for chosen option must be paid before July 22nd 2007. You may also pay the full amount now using either of the two methods mentioned above.

Click here to go to booking and payment

The course is open to all keen vocalists 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.

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Location

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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