Mbira Camp

***June 20, 2009 Update: Recession Special! You may enroll for half of Session 1, if you can't afford a whole Mbira Camp. $425 includes ALL your expenses. You may also enroll for Session 1 "by the day", at a $115 per day rate, including meals.

MBIRA offers four 2009 Mbira Camp sessions, an April session in Argentina, and three summer sessions in Berkeley, California, USA.

The Winter 2010 session in January will be held in sunny Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii.

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: 18 - 25 April 2009
California Session 1: 4 - 11 July 2009
California Session 2: 18 - 25 July - 2009
California Session 3: 1 - 8 August 2009
Hawaii Session: 9 - 16 January 2010

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. Zimbabwean co-teacher Patience Chaitezvi (confirmed, she is already here!) will co-teach the 3 summer Mbira Camps in California. 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 Argentina Mbira Camp has been held at a home in the pampas outside Buenos Aires for the past 2 years. The 2009 session will be held in the same location.

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 Hawaii Mbira Camp location is a home in Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii. We spend most afternoons at fabulous local beaches, including the one where President Obama takes his vacations. Play mbira in between playing in the warm waves!

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.

Advance enrollment for Mbira Camp is required. Enrollment is usually limited to a maximum of 10 campers per session. A non-refundable $400 deposit, or the full $800 fee, with the enrollment form, is due April 1st (Feb. 1st for Argentina, October 15th), and will hold a space for you. Enrollment after June 1st (Oct. 15 for Hawaii) requires the full $800 fee. $50 discount for full fee payment by April 1st (Oct. 15 for Hawaii): pay only $750. *Lower fee for Argentina Camp for residents of South America, email for info. Enrollment is on a "first come" basis, so send in your deposit as soon as possible. The balance of payment is due no later than your first day of Camp. Please make checks or US$ 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). If you prefer to pay through Paypal, see required fees on the enrollment form.

Sleeping accomodations at Mbira Camp are choice of a shared sleeping room, or an outdoor tent (bring your own, except in Hawaii where tents are provided). Sleeping mats are provided (in the shared sleeping room only), 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.

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.