BRAZILIAN Choro Camp
Vintage popular music- For those with either classical or jazz experience
Faculty: Karen Iglitzin, violin and Stuart Zobel, 7-string guitar.
Watch Stuart play with the band “Choroloco” Watch Karen play with her daughter, cellist Ariana
For whom? For professional players, music teachers, and advanced and intermediate level students age 13-adults. For strings, guitar, trombone and percussion. Registration is on a 1st come, 1st served basis. Send a brief video if we don’t already know your playing! Location: Choro camp is held at Karen’s home in North Seattle. We are mostly outdoors under the canopies in the backyard Zen garden and front yard. Winter camps are indoors in large rehearsal areas!
Day CAMP: August 5-9, 2024
Mon.-Fri 10:00am-2:00pm
Tuition: $570 plus $40 registration fee
Application, please click here
Cancellation policy for summer camps:
If you need to cancel, do so in writing.
For any cancellation received before May 1, there is a refund or credit of 75% of the tuition paid.
For any cancellation prior to June 1st, refund or credit of 50% of the tuition paid.
From June 1st on, there will be no refunds. Any monies will be applied to the scholarship fund.
FULL REFUND: In the unlikely event that Karen needs to cancel the camp for whatever reason, payer is entitled to a refund or credit for 100% of the amount paid.
Eligibility: age 13 through adult . Instruments: strings, guitar, mandolin, woodwinds, trombone and accordion. Percussionists will have the opportunity to learn the Brazilian tambourine (pandeiro). This camp is open to a variety of backgrounds. We welcome players of a variety of levels. In addition, it is ideal for classically trained musicians who may have not had much exposure to non-classical styles. Sheet music will be provided in advance for several pieces to prepare ahead of time. Guitar: Open to those who can play chords- all the way up to very advanced players. Intermediate note-reading is an asset.
Enrollment -The camp may have up to 20 participants, divided into 2 or 3 bands/ensembles. The venue has 2 outdoor canopies- one in the Zen garden in the backyard, one in the front. There is also a very large indoor music room. Placement/levels -If your playing is not already known to Karen, please send a brief video of your playing, so that we can better plan the camp activities. Also welcome is a self-assessment of your music skills, including note-reading.
Finances and Registration process: The camps will enroll on a first come, first served basis. Due to the small numbers allowed, the spots will go very quickly. Non-refundable registration fee per person: $40, due at time of application. Tuition is due upon acceptance. Limited financial aid may be available. Payment methods include via zelle or other electronic methods. Or, if you prefer to send a check, just inquire.
“Our camp coaches, Karen and Stuart, were amazing! Their smiles and positive energy, musicality, tips, stories of personal experiences, and general approach to the whole week really had so much to do with its success. Loved the selection of music; just the right level of challenge for us and a wonderful variety of fast and furious vs slow and sultry.” -Peggy, accordion participant, July 2021
CLICK HERE FOR FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES
Camp mission and description:
We want everyone to have fun, to increase their confidence level and come away with at least one new or improved skill. Stuart and Karen enjoy sharing how to play with more freedom and confidence, and in this special Brazilian style. Participants will prepare several choro works ahead of time to the best of their ability. We will be delving into the style, rhythm, and improvisation techniques. Students play in small ensembles to practice the songs from the core repertoire.
Karen will be focusing on playing with confidence. Melodic instruction will include techniques in handing off the solos to one another. She will also help newcomers to improvising using ‘survival techniques”. Stuart will share the art of the accompaniment and how to develop rhythmic groove. Practice techniques are one of his specialties. They will address ensemble dynamics’, both in rehearsal, and in performance. This includes techniques on how to work well together and how to feel more on top of it when you are playing for others.
Some participants may have significant improvisation experience. Others may be concerned that they need to improvise right away. For the latter, have no fear: improvisation can include just adding a trill or a different rhythm to the melody.
Choro Camp Schedule and other info:
Mon-Thurs:
9:30-45 Arrive
9:45-9:55 Warm-up, tune
10-10:50 Gather in your band to work on the core repertoire
11-11:50 Instrumental group instruction
12 BYO lunch
12:35-1:00 “Mystery Moments”
1:10-1:55 Jam session (roda) or more rehearsal with your band.
2:00-depart
Friday: Participants arrive at 9:45 as usual.
1:00-2:15 PM CONCERT: informal outdoor concert for friends and relatives, while serenading the neighbors listening from their backyards.
“The daily rehearsals, the jam session, the mystery guests, the concert and the shared camaraderie of the participants all contributed to a most enjoyable week of learning and sharing of this special kind of music!” - Tom, mandolin, July 2021
Brazilian Choro Camp -
Past Camp Repertoire
Summer Camp Aug.5-9, 2024 (Camp #7)
Band: Grupo da Bahia: Peggy, accordion; Ian, cello; Jeff, guitar; Haru, William, violists; Florie, clarinet; Franklin, violin; Peter, violin/ukulele
Chorinho ao Luar by Abel Ferreira & Chorinho na Gafiera by Astor Silva
Band: “Grupo da Rio: Alma, Rachel, violins; (Brandi Ledferd, guest; Stuart Zobel, guitar, faculty) Wayne, percussion; Rich, guitar; Wes, viola; Gabe, cello; Evan, flute, Deede, violin; Roberta, bass
“Proesas de Salon”, Pixinguinha & “Santa Morena”, Jacob do Bandolim
the all-Camp Chororchestra:
“Iolanda”, waltz by Pixinguinha (appears on the first recorded album of Pixinguinha’s compositions, in 1934, with the composer on flute; Tute (7-string guitar) and Luperce Miranda (mandolin)
“Ainda me Recordo” by Pixinguinha
“Assanhado” by Jacob do Bandolim
Summer Camp: Aug.7-11 2023
Band: “Grupo da Brasilia” Evan, flute; Patti, clarinet; Peter, ukelele; Dalton, cello; Gabe, cello; Eden, violin
“Dayanna” by Alessandro Penezzi (B.1974) & “Delicado” by Waldir Azevedo (1923-1980)
Band: “Grupo da Rio de Janeiro” Elbert, violin, Lori, clarinet; Patty, flute; Ian, cello; Ronan “Choronan”, cello/mandolin
“Escovado” by Ernesto Nazareth (1863-1934) & “Murmurando” by Jacob do Bandolim (1918-1969)
The Summer Star cellists: Dalton, Gabe, Ian, Ronan
Cello Concerto in C by-Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) (section of 1st mvt) Accompanied by Stuart: Brazilian pandeiro, Karen, piano
the all-Camp Chororchestra: “Rio Antigo” by Altamiro Carrilho (1924-2012) & “Luis Americano na PRE 3” by Luis Americano (1900-1960)
Winter Camp March/April 2023
“Os oito batutas”–by Pixinguinha
“Reminiscências”- by Jacob do Bandolim
“Sarau Para Radamés”- by Paulinho da Viola
“Floraux” –by Ernesto Nazareth
Summer camp 2022
“Doce de Coco” by Jacob do Bandolim
“Brejeiro” by Ernesto Nazareth
“Atraente” by Francisca “Chiquinha” Gonzaga
“Pagão” by Pixinguinha
The all-camp Chororchestra: “Valsa Sem Nome” by Baden Powell de Aquino and Vinicius de Moraes
Winter Camp March ‘22
“Atlantico” by Nazareth
“Carioquinha” by Waldir Azevedo
“Cochichando” by Jacob do Bandolim
“Rosa” by Pixinguinha
“Carinhoso” by Pixinguinha
Winter Camp February ‘22
“De Coração a Coração” (from heart to heart) by Bandolim
“Eu quero e sossego” by K-Ximbinho
“Noites Cariocas” by Jacob do Bandolim
“Sensivel” by Pixinguinha
Summer Camp ‘21
“Benzinho” by Jacob do Bandolim
“Naquele Tempo” by Pixinguinha
“Cadencia” by Joventino Maciel
“Sonoroso” by K-Ximbinho
“Corta Jaca/Gaucho” Francisca “Chiquinha” Gonzaga
The all-camp Chororchestra: “Gloria” (Waltz) by Pixinguinha
Riley, Anita, Evan, Ronan and Peggy: “Iguazu Falls” band , summer 2022
“Valsa Sem Nome” (Waltz with no name) by Baden Powell -July 2022
“This was so fun! I realized that this was also wonderful professional development for me (as a longtime high school physics teacher): a masterclass in teaching a diverse age range of students.
Everyone involved, you, Stuart, Roz, Brandi and Kristine, lent such a positive vibe and encouragement as we worked together on challenging music and arrangements. I met my goals of getting more proficient with rhythm and learning how to harmonize a bit on flute.
”