Fire in the Mountain MUSIC CAMP

Name: Fire in the Mountain MUSIC CAMP
Start: 2024-08-19T09:00:00+01:00
Location: Fire in the Mountain

Schedule

Mon Aug 19 2024 at 09:00 am

UTC+01:00

Location

Fire in the Mountain | Aberystwyth, WA

Music Camp
Monday 19th - Saturday 24th August 2024
Immerse yourself in a week long intensive music programme in the West of Wales with world class tutors. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced player you will gain immeasurable benefits from spending a week with your tutor.
We focus on learning tunes by ear and listening skills, building confidence either to play in front of other people, performing or joining a session (we run slow jams for those just starting out). Students are encouraged to form scratch bands and there is plenty of time to rehearse ready for the big Friday night student concert where participants demonstrate what they have learned with their tutor groups or as a band.
All players have the opportunity to stretch themselves, maybe learning new techniques, maybe trying out new tunings, maybe playing unfamiliar styles of music or playing in groups but most importantly playing together, eating together and having fun.
The camp focuses on folk music from around the world but mostly from the Americas: Old-time, Cajun and some Klezmer.
The week can be intense and challenging but most of all new friendships and confidence are built and the joy of playing social dance music stays for ever.
Sign Up by Clicking Here
Confirmed Courses for 2024:
Dirk Powell (USA) - Banjo (Advanced)
Vera Van Heeringen - Guitar (picking and singing)
Jock Tyldesley - Cajun and Old Time fiddle (intermediate)
Steve Blake - Banjo (Beginners/Intermediate)
Emily Smith - Fiddle Beginner/Improvers (not complete beginners)*
Ed Hicks - mixed instruments - learn how to join in with sessions and groups
Jerry Bloom - Fiddle Technique - Beginner and Intermediate
When these courses are full we will add more tutors . Class sizes limited to 10
* We cannot help complete beginners on fiddle. If you have found one in your granny’s attic, or do not yet have the ability to play in tune or have never picked one up then we suggest you get some basic lessons in advance or come to camp only on this occasion.

Camping Only Ticket
If you would like to come and enjoy the camp and the beautiful farm without taking the full time tuition, you can. Take part in all the evening workshops and dances, and relax during the day. You can select the Camping Only Ticket on our application form here.

The Daily Schedule
9 am - 12 pm Morning Tuition12 pm - 2 pm Lunch2 pm - 4 pm Afternoon Tuition4:15 pm - 6 pm Drop in Workshop Sessions (open to all) / Scratch Band Rehearsals.6 pm to 7 pm Slow Jam for Beginners /pop up sessions/Various Locations7 pm - 8 pm Dinner8 pm - 9 pm Honky Tonk Choir9 pm - 11 pm Evening Gathering and Dance in the Main Marquee

The Camp - The Basics
The site consists of 3 areas; a large camping field available to all who attend, The Courtyard and surrounding outbuildings where the tuition happens, and the "Dell", a magical space in the valley where we have showers and a sauna (free to use).
The campsite has compost loos and plenty of space for all. There are 2 water points and a washing up station. Both campervans and tents are welcome.
The Courtyard is a covered area within a marquee. The camp convenes here in the evening for folk dances and performances. It is also the location of our "closing concert" on the Friday. There is an adjacent bar in one of the barns, serving delicious local ales, ciders and locally produced spirits.
Tuition occurs in the buildings, in yurts and tents set up around the farm buildings.

Other Activities and Happenings
Late Afternoon Drop in Workshops. 4:15 - 6 pm daily there will be drop in workshops in the "classroom" yurts open for all... In the past these have included Flatfoot Dancing, Klezmer, Jazz Chords, Music Theory, Improvisation, Scruggs Style Banjo, Dance Calling and more.. we are confirming these workshops now.
The Slow Jam, 6 pm -7 pm everyday. Hosted by faculty member Julian and a guest tutor, we host a "Slow Jam" - a session where we play popular session tunes at a slightly slower pace, allowing anyone of any ability to join in. We play the tune through for slightly longer than normal, so everyone has a change to master the melody. It's so much fun!
The Evening Folk/Barn/Ceilidh and Cajun Dance Everyone is welcome to jump on stage and play music for our nightly barn dances - whilst our in house callers teach social dancing from the American, English and Scottish traditions. Thursday Night is always "Cajun Night", where tutors Jock and Vera perform with their band The Flatville Aces, and teach the camp the Cajun Waltz and Two Step.
The Closing Concert and Scratch Bands. To close the camp, we arrange a concert on the Friday Evening. We encourage students to form "scratch bands" during the week to perform a number - if you choose to form a band, you will be supported by tutors to rehearse a piece to perform. In addition to any scratch bands, each tuition group also perform a piece they have learned during the week. We also welcome students with hidden talents to perform at the concert - in the past we've had some wonderful performances from musicians from all over the world!