Mbira Camp

MBIRA offers three 2008 Mbira Camp summer sessions in Berkeley, California, USA; and an April session in Argentina. The concept of Mbira Camp is total immersion in traditional Shona mbira music of Zimbabwe, day and evening, for 8 days.

Mbira Camp dates will be:

Argentina Session 19 - 26 April 2008
California Session 1: 12 - 19 July 2008
California Session 2: 26 July - 2 August 2008
California Session 3: 9 - 16 August 2008

Mbira Camp is led by Erica Azim, who has played and loved Shona mbira music since 1970. She has developed a teaching method designed specifically for the Western student who desires to experience traditional Shona mbira music in its fullest depth. Two marvellous Zimbabwean co-teachers who have not been to the US before, Mai Jenny Muchumi and Patience Chaitezvi, will co-teach all 3 summer Mbira Camps (confirmed, they have their visas and will definitely be here). Mbira Camp is sponsored by the non-profit organization MBIRA, devoted to the preservation and support of traditional Shona mbira music of Zimbabwe.

The typical Mbira Camp day includes mbira lessons in the morning, a break after lunch, an optional related activity in the afternoon (hosho lesson, mbira dance class, cultural presentation, etc) followed by time for the group to play mbira together, and the full group gathering in the evening for mbira singing, ear training, and playing together.

Mbira Camp activities and instruction include:

• individual mbira lessons
• mbira lessons in pairs and groups
• mbira theory: how to improvise correctly within the mbira tradition
• learning to hear more of the interlocking lines in the mbira music you play, singing lines the mbira is playing, and volume variations
• how to know when to play variations (and when not to)
• styles of kutsinhira playing
• playing together, the lock of kushaura and kutsinhira parts
• where the hosho fits with kushaura and kutsinhira
• learning to hear resultant lines when playing together, singing them, and bringing them out in your playing
• learning to sing traditional mbira lyrics
• listening to recordings of Shona mbira players
• mbira-style hosho (gourd rattles which accompany mbira)
• learning about the traditional context of mbira in Shona culture and religion
• mbira dance
• exploring mbira tunings and learning how to tune your mbira

Also, campers often play together in 2's and 3's informally, outside scheduled session/lesson times.

Mbira lovers at every playing level are encouraged to attend, and previous Mbira Camps have included beginning, intermediate, and advanced players. New beginners may purchase an instrument from MBIRA in advance to use at Camp, or choose one at Camp.

MBIRA CAMP INFORMATION (see dates above)

Locations

The summer Mbira Camp location is Erica Azim's big house and garden in Berkeley, California. Lessons are held one day at the beach and one day in a redwood forest, weather permitting.

The Argentina Mbira Camp location is a beautiful rural house in the Argentine pampas, outside Buenos Aires (fly into Buenos Aires).

Cost and enrollment

Cost of camp is $800 for eight days of mbira immersion, which covers all living expenses (Mbira Camp is known for its great chefs!), instruction, and activities. The Mbira Camp fee is reduced to $750, if paid IN FULL by April 1st for California, February 1st for Argentina (postmark date). Inquire about a greatly discounted camp fee for Argentina if you are a resident of South America.

Advance enrollment for Mbira Camp is required. Enrollment is usually limited to a maximum of 12 campers per session. A non-refundable $400 deposit with the enrollment form will hold a space for you until June 1st; enrollment later requires the full $800 fee. Enrollment is on a "first come" basis, so send in your deposit as soon as possible. The balance of payment is due no later than your first day of Camp. Please make checks or US$ money orders payable to MBIRA, and send in with your Mbira Camp Enrollment Form. Payment is non-refundable, unless another student takes your place (occasionally there is a waiting list).

Sleeping accomodations at Mbira Camp are choice of a shared sleeping room, or an outdoor tent (bring your own for California). Sleeping mats are provided, but you must bring your own sleeping bag or blankets.

Mbira Camp Enrollment Form

CAMP RECORDING POLICY:

• You may record your individual and group lessons (audio ONLY, please, no video allowed). You may not copy these recordings for anyone who did not attend the camp.
• "Mbira Piece Intensives." Listening to recordings of many different musicians playing the piece you are learning is an important part of learning an improvisational style you did not grow up hearing. These intensive listening experiences are available from the MBIRA Recordings Library (see Mbira Piece Intensives), and the money goes to the musicians on the CD. Save up and bring money for these, which are an essential part of the teaching method. "Student Series" recordings to practice together with are also helpful, though not yet available for many pieces.
• Mbira students may purchase copies of mbira field recording CDs while at Camp, or before Camp by going to the Catalog section of this website.

You may only buy copies of MBIRA recordings if you agree that you absolutely will not copy them for anyone. Your friends can get them directly from MBIRA. The point is to get the money to the Zimbabwean musicians on the recordings, who are definitely poorer than your poorest friend. What is a relatively small amount of money for us is making a significant difference in the survival of some of the musicians receiving it.

QUESTIONS:

More Mbira Camp information, including schedule, "to bring" list and directions will be sent to enrolled Campers. Questions? Call 510-548-6053 or email camp@mbira.org.