Mbira Camp

MBIRA offers these upcoming Mbira Camp sessions: a January 2012 session in Kauai, Hawaii; three summer 2012 sessions in Berkeley, California, USA; and a September 2012 session in Argentina.

The concept of Mbira Camp is total immersion in traditional Shona mbira music of Zimbabwe, day and evening, for 8 days. California Session Half-Camp and Day-of-Camp options are available, and one work-trade is also currently available (as of June 13).

Mbira Camp 2012 dates are:

Hawaii (Kauai!!!) Session: 7-14 January 2012. FULL, NO MORE SPACE! Watch for next year's Hawaii dates

California Session 1: 7-14 July 2012
California Session 2: 21-28 July 2012
California Session 3: 10-17 August 2012

Argentina Session: 15-22 September 2012

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 mbira player (and mbira maker) LEONARD CHIYANIKE will co-teach the 3 summer Mbira Camps in California (pending visa approval). And, FRADRECK MUJURU will also join us as a co-teacher for Session 1 only. 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, cultural presentation, etc) followed by time for the group to play mbira together, and the full group gathering in the evening for mbira singing 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 new-first-timers, 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 NEW 2012 Hawaii Mbira Camp location is a beautiful (see photos below) redwood house near Kapa'a on Kauai, with a lot of land, fruit trees, vegetable garden, and a private swimming hole. We'll also go to the beach for dips in the warm ocean, probably every day.

The Argentina Mbira Camp has been held at a home in the pampas outside Buenos Aires for the past 5 years. The 2012 session will be held in the same location.

Cost and enrollment

Cost of camp is $800 for CA Sessions 2 and 3, $850 for Hawaii/CA Session 1/Argentina, for 8 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 $450 deposit, or the full fee, with the enrollment form, will hold a space for you. Deposits are due Oct. 1st for Hawaii, April 1st for the summer sessions, and June 1st for Argentina.

Earlybird Discount! If you pay the full tuition by the deposit due date, you receive a $50 discount (total of $750 instead of $800, $800 instesd of $850). Enrollment for summer Mbira Camps after June 1st requires the full fee. *Lower fee for Argentina Camp for residents of South America only, email for info.

California work-trade option: email for details, this is primarily yardwork in preparation for camp

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). NEW, you can pay online with Chase QuickPay if you have a bank account in the US, with no extra charge - just make a payment to MBIRA (erica@mbira.org) put your name, and do note the session you are paying for. If you prefer to pay through Paypal, see required fees on the enrollment form. For any type of online payment, please remember to email your enrollment form to erica@mbira.org

Sleeping accomodations at Mbira Camp are choice of a shared sleeping room, or an outdoor tent (bring your own). Sleeping mats are provided (in the shared sleeping room only, and not in Hawaii), you must bring your own sleeping bag or blankets. Mats are not provided in Hawaii, please bring your own pad (and tent, if you wish). Meals are vegetarian.

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 your audio 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/Download. 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 only available for a few 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.