Description
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Introduction to Improvisation
This Course, held concurrently with Adult & Family Week at Timber Ridge, is designed and led by Eden MacAdam-Somer.
Discover your inner improvisational voice and how to express that voice through your instrument. In this class, singers and instrumentalists will explore rhythmic, melodic, and simple harmonic improvisation using techniques common to aural traditions throughout the world. This class is great for musicians who are new to improvising, but will also benefit experienced improvisers. Participants should be comfortable getting around their instrument enough to play/sing simple tunes. Everyone will do a fair amount of singing in addition to playing your other instrument (full-time singers are very welcome of course). Percussionists should be prepared to do melodic and harmonic work in addition to playing rhythm. You do not need to know anything about reading music or music theory - we'll discuss theory as it comes up but the focus will always be on the music.
During the week, we will spend time:
- learning folk tunes and blues by ear
- playing/singing in every key
- playing/singing harmony (chords) and backup parts (rhythm)
- taking solos, improvising, and have fun doing it
- writing our own class tune
You are encouraged to bring a recording device and a notebook.
The Course meets for two hours each day. For the rest of the day, participants can choose from among the activities available at the host week. See the week's full schedule for details.
REGISTRATION
This course is limited to 8 participants to ensure plenty of opportunity for active participation. Participants should be comfortable getting around their instrument (including voice) enough to play/sing simple tunes. If the class is oversubscribed on March 13, there will be a lottery, with preference given to instrumental balance, musical goals, and to applicants supported by their local community. Strong indicators for CDSS are our Group Priority and Matching Scholarship processes, where a CDSS affiliate vouches for a participant and may offer some scholarship, asking CDSS to match that amount (www.cdss.org/support-services/insurance-group-services/priority-matching-scholarships). This is a statement by people who know the individual, that the person is deserving of assistance and would benefit the local community by attending camp. That can count highly in this and in our scholarship considerations.
Please clearly indicate if you would like to attend Adult & Family Week at Timber Ridge, if you did not get a space in the Course.
Schedule
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
TBA
Staff
Eden MacAdam-Somer
Eden MacAdam-Somer is one of the most exciting and versatile musicians performing today. Hailed by the New York Times as reflecting "astonishing virtuosity and raw expression," her music transcends genre through soaring violin, sweet vocals, and percussive dance, weaving in and out of the many cultures that have formed her experience. Her travels have carried her across the contiguous U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, to Afghanistan, India, China, Iceland, Israel, and the U.K. Eden is a full-time faculty member at New England Conservatory, where she teaches improvisation and serves as Co-Chair of the Department of Contemporary Improvisation. She also makes frequent visits to Kabul, Afghanistan, where she works with young Afghan musicians as guest faculty member at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music and collaborates with local artists. Her solo album, My First Love Story, was listed as one of the top ten jazz albums of 2015 in the Boston Globe. In addition to her work in Boston, Eden maintains an active international performance and recording career as a soloist and with such bands as Notorious Folk, the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and Hebrew National Salvage.
www.fiddlegarden.com
Life at Camp
ABOUT TIMBER RIDGE CAMP
Timber Ridge Camp spreads across and down a gentle slope that levels out into playing fields bounded by a sweeping bend in the Cacapon River. The camp is in the foothills of the Appalachians near Winchester, VA, and is easily accessible from the mid-Atlantic, the South and the Midwest.
Across the valley and the river is a forested ridge to the west and hills and fields to the north. Timber Ridge is a large camp with many buildings and generous facilities. You'll find a swimming pool and gym, a Fine Arts complex with various program spaces, a pub/canteen, fields for soccer and other games, a large indoor dining hall with a nearby outdoor picnic area, tennis courts, wonderful swimming spots on the river, canoes and many kinds of housing options.
There is ample space for dance classes, which will be held in the Playhouse, the Rec Hall and the gym. The Fine Arts complex (comprised of the adjoining Playhouse -- air-conditioned -- and Rec Hall) offers wonderful settings for after-dance parties. There are several discrete rooms so that a jam session can carry on without affecting a singing session, ceilidh dance or games and conversation. The pub/canteen is a space that invites gatherings and the site of choice for cabaret and honky-tonk parties.
With excellent playing fields, the river with its canoes, the pool with its beach chairs, and extensive porches on various buildings, there are many opportunities for both quiet and more active pastimes.
ARRIVAL TIME
The program begins with swimming and an informal tour of camp on the afternoon of the first day; followed by an orientation meeting and dance after dinner.
Arrival time is after 3:30pm on the starting Sunday. Departure time is by 10:00am the final Sunday.
PACKING SUGGESTIONS
You will need to bring a flashlight to find your way around at night. A battery powered or wind up alarm clock and insect repellent may be useful. If you are on a special diet, you may need to bring your own particular food. An ice chest for drinks and snacks to share at after-dance parties may be handy. A specific packing list is sent with acceptance information.
Don't forget to pack your your swimsuit, raincoat, sweater, towels, bed linen, and blankets or a sleeping bag and pillows. A fan is often welcome.
STORES
The nearest stores are a 15-30 minute drive away.
HOUSING
All participants are assigned on-site housing in the month before camp starts. Space is limited; we can't guarantee that all specific requests will be filled. Requests may be made on the Registration Form or with information sent later.
A Timber Ridge Bunk RoomAdult housing is mostly in double rooms (with private or semi-private baths) within larger buildings. Family housing is in bunkrooms with one family per room, sharing bath facilities with one other family, or, for smaller families with younger children, in the Lodge -- a building with several smaller rooms. Family housing is based on the age of the youngest family member.
General housing categories at Timber Ridge are:
- Quiet or party areas
- Closer to or further from evening activities
- Specific building
Summer nights can be hot and humid; consider bringing a small, quiet fan to place near your bed.
JOBS
In the cooperative spirit of camp life, all campers have a daily job to help camp run smoothly.
Jobs are usually a half hour or less per day, every day, and the same job all week. Jobs are assigned in the month before camp starts; you have the opportunity make specific requests about your job assignment either on the Registration Form or later with your Registration Status Form.
We can't guarantee that all specific job requests will be filled, but please let us know if you have a preference or limitation (e.g., dust allergy, unable to lift heavy objects, can't stay up late, can't get up for breakfast).
At family sessions parents are generally assigned a job with their young children.
General job categories are:
- Dining room: breakfast, lunch or dinner (set/clear tables)
- Kitchen (serve food, clear, wash dishes, make coffee/tea)
- Sweeping (pavilions, community areas)
- Party help (late night party setup/cleanup)
- Clerical (office, bookstore, auction)
- Greeters (must be able to arrive by 2:00pm)
- Gopher (campstore, auction, lifting)
PHONE & COMPUTERS
Though your plate will be full with activities while at camp, for those of you who must keep in contact with work or home, there are options. There is first class mail and UPS service. We do ask that laptops and cell phones be kept out of the awareness of other campers. Even if you can't, others want to enjoy this time away from the reminders of work-a-day living.
There is a touch-tone phone for camper use; you will need a calling card to make long distance calls. Cell coverage is spotty at best.
Fees
The fee for the week is
$895
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
Online payments can be made with Mastercard or VISA. We can only take the amount you approve, so balance payments need to be initiated by you.
Mailed-in registrations can be paid by Mastercard, VISA or by check, made payable to CDSS, in U.S. Funds. Mail to CDSS, 116 Pleasant St Suite 345, Easthampton, MA 01027
Submit your Online Registration or payment. You will be asked to login, or, if you are new to CDSS, create an account. There is also a Full registration form PDF document you can snailmail, fax or email us with your payment. Please note that you must fill out both the registration form and the appropriate waiver(s).
A deposit of $150/person/week, if not paying full amount, is needed with registration.
Full cost depends on the Week and, at family programs, the ages of children.
Full payment for sessions starting before August 1: due May 20
Full payment for sessions starting on or after August 1: due June 20
There is a fee of $25 on any late payment.
Deposits/payments are processed upon receipt. In the case of cancellation from the wait list or from a session, a refund will be issued as per our cancellation policy.
Pay your balance online You should have received an email that tells how much is due. You will need to fill in that amount due.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We offer work scholarships to any camper in need, and named scholarships to practicing teachers, leaders and musicians. Please read about our scholarship programs before applying. Scholarship applications will be considered at the time of registration and should therefore accompany the Registration Form.
Donation in support of Scholarships are needed and gratefully accepted. If you are able to help another person benefit from our programs, you can do so by making a contribution along with your registration or at our online store. In addition, at each week of our summer camps, we hold auctions which raise money for future scholarships.