Coast String Fiddlers

The Coast String Fiddlers present …

JULY 6 to 10TH, 2009

• What to Bring
• Accommodation & Meals
• How to Get Here
• Questions
• Guidelines for Classes
• Instructor Bios
• Camp Registration and Fees

The Sunshine Coast Summer School of Celtic Music is sponsored by the Coast String Fiddlers Association, a non-profit society which is committed to promoting the understanding and learning of traditional music through the support of fiddle instruction and related activities. Volunteers organize the Summer School, concerts, workshops and the Coast String Fiddler fiddle clubs. Our aim is to provide players of all backgrounds & levels the opportunity to learn in a non-competitive environment & to be able to take advantage of playing with others. We fully support family involvement.

The Coast String Fiddlers Association invites you to a week of study, playing and good times for all who share an interest in traditional music and in particular Celtic music, song and dance. Our eighth annual summer school is located in Roberts Creek Community School in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada.

Our classes are scheduled in the morning and early afternoon and are structured to meet a range of skills from those who learn quickly by ear (advanced) to those who have 1-2 years experience & the basics of their instrument (novice). Fiddlers at all levels will have the opportunity to study the various fiddle styles of many of our instructors. Other classes will include cello, piano, and guitar and this year we are offering harp. A wide range of workshops will be offered daily which focus on the expertise of our instructors.

There will also be an opportunity for participants to take another instrument in our elective classes held daily in the afternoon. In prior years we have offered song and dance and instruments ranging from penny whistle to mandolin as well as guitar, fiddle, cello, piano and accordion.

In addition to the daily teaching schedule, informal gatherings will be held each evening with a Ceilidh held one evening with our participants as performers and a dance night, an opportunity to practice those dance steps you will be learning. On the final day of the school there is a Performance Concert by the participants of the Camp in the afternoon to which parents and friends are invited.

On Friday evening we present a Gala Concert featuring the great music and talent of our instructors. Tickets for this evening concert will be open to the public so pre-order when you register as there are a limited number of tickets available. Additional tickets may be available at the school so please watch for details.

We will also be offering other activities on site geared to children 6-12 who have registered.

WHAT TO BRING
The atmosphere at our school is most casual. There is easy access to the woods and beach near the school facility. The summer climate can vary from hot sunny to chilly cloudy so be prepared to layer your shorts and T-shirt with sweaters and pants. For all music workshops participants are required to bring their own instruments, paper, strings etc. and a reusable drinking cup. A recording device would be most useful. Timetable, schedule and session information will be distributed when you arrive.

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS
Accommodations are available in the Roberts Creek area as well as Gibsons & Sechelt, communities located nearby. Directions and a complete list of housing options will be forwarded to you on registration (please request on your registration form). These range from local campsites to bed & breakfast establishments. Visit www.bigpacific.com for a comprehensive visitor information guide.

Meals are the responsibility of the participants. Some snacks, coffee, tea & juice will be available during the workshops.

HOW TO GET HERE
Roberts Creek is approximately 1 hour from the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. The Ferry Terminal is located near West Vancouver, approximately 1-hour from the Vancouver Airport. Shuttles & buses are available from the airport to the Ferry Terminal. A 40 minute scenic ferry ride gets you from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale Ferry Terminal on the Sunshine Coast & connects with local bus service. Roberts Creek is then a 20-minute car ride. Detailed travel information will be forwarded on request. For details consult www.bcferries.com for ferry schedules & www.scrd.bc.ca for bus schedules.

QUESTIONS
Please contact us or phone Ann or John Law at 604-886-4768.

GUIDELINES FOR CLASSES
When you register, please indicate on the registration form in the space provided your level, playing experience and ability. Fiddle classes are geared to those players that have had at least 1-2 yrs experience (novice) to advanced musicians. Guitar and piano courses are directed toward serious students who wish to explore accompaniment of traditional music at the intermediate and advanced levels. Involvement in group or family playing opportunities is strongly suggested and will help you build on what you will learn at camp. Suggested entry level for piano students is approximately Grade 4-5 with a minimum age requirement of 11 years for the level of information to be taught.

All other instrument classes will be taught at a level which is appropriate to the participants involved and may include varying levels.

NOVICE: You have 1-2 years experience and knowledge of the basics of your instrument. You learn tunes by ear at a slow pace with no ornamentation or bowing techniques. Children’s novice class will be taught by teachers who have experience in teaching young children

INTERMEDIATE: You are proficient on your instrument and learn at a moderate speed by ear. You are able to play various rhythms such as jigs, reels, strathspeys at or about up to speed.

ADVANCED: You are an experienced musician who learns quickly by ear. You are able to learn the advanced aspects of various styles such as ornamentation, bowing techniques and phrasing.

Piano : This course is for intermediate to advanced students with a desire to accompany celtic music. Not suitable for children under 10 years old.

There will be no auditions to determine placement. You will be informed of your class assignment when you arrive at the school and pick up your registration package. We make every effort to assign our participants to the appropriate level to maximize your musical experience during the school. It is therefore essential that you remain in the class to which you have been assigned. However, if you feel your class is too advanced or easy for your skill level, we ask that you inform your home room instructor, and a coordinator, and we will ensure an appropriate reassignment. We cannot accommodate specific requests for instructors.

Trad Band for Ages 15-25
This course will start July 5th at 1:00 p.m. and will also perform in Gibsons on July 12th and the Harrison Festival of the Arts on July 13th at 3:00 p.m. This course will be lead again by Iain Fraser and Harris Playfair, and is suitable for advanced musicians ages 14-25 years in any instrument (brass, woodwinds, strings, percussion and electronic instruments welcome) who have an interest in contributing and learning in a group setting. The instructors will be blending traditional music with the sound of jazz, fusion and rock in a big band setting. The emphasis will be on different instruments playing together, improvising and taking the lead and you will learn to listen to other instruments and how to fit your instrument to the tune. Proficiency in more than one instrument is an asset and ability to work independently is required. Other instructors from the camp will rotate through this class to give participants insight into their particular skills as it applies to group work. Enrollment in this class will be limited so early registration is recommended. Any questions or further information required, please contact Ann Law via our contact form or by email at info@coaststringfiddlers[DOT]com.

CAMP REGISTRATION AND FEES
Payment can be made by cheque or money order (Canadian Funds only) payable to Sunshine Coast School of Celtic Music and mailed to:

The Coast String Fiddler Association
c/o Box 1398
Gibsons, BC V0N 1V0

Post marked on or BEFORE April 30, 2009: Adult $260 Cdn: Child (6-18) $205 Cdn. Trad Band $225 Cdn.

Post marked AFTER April 30, 2009: Adult $290 Cdn: Child (6-18) $230 Cdn. Trad Band $255 Cdn.

Note: All registrations required by June 22, 2009 where class space is available.

Discounts: For the second & each additional adult or youngster in the same family deduct $25.00 from the total fees. Children age 6 & under must be accompanied & supervised by an adult.

CANCELLATION FEES (amount taken from the total fees):

Before April 30, 2009: full refund less processing fee of $10

May 1 - May 31, 2009 : $100 cancellation fee per person

June 1 - June 22, 2009: $150 cancellation fee per person

June 22, 2009: No refunds