"For the first time, I can play something on the accordion from memory. ...In one fell swoop, I learned orchestration, registration, accompaniment, improvisation, harmony, rhythm, whatever. It was all there."

"I am looking forward to next year's camp . . . I'm also looking forward to getting in touch with other Campers and hoping there's someone else from the Peninsula who would like to get together to practice."

Camp Accordionland 2007

The Third Annual Camp AccordionLand will be held the weekend of August 11-12, 2007, in beautiful Tilden Park in Berkeley, California.

“What will I and 49 other people do at CampAccordionLand?”
you might ask. Here are a few answers:

(Check out our full tentative schedule below)

Ensemble Playing up the Wazoo.

~ Gypsy ensemble and masterclass with Stuart Brotman
~ Conjunto Jam Session, Klezmer Jam session
~ Folk ensemble with Kaila Flexer

Click here for full class descriptions

Opportunities to See and be Seen Accordion Playing

~Student Performances
~Instructor Performances
~Orchestra Performances

Accordionist Instructors

Lou Jacklich, a huge hit last year, is back by very popular demand.

Sarah Noll, accordionist and Orff instructor, teaches a reprise of last year's very popular courses using Orff Instruments

Lauro Guajardo has travelled from migrant worker to virtuoso accordionist of Mexican conjunto music, with music and stories to share.

Henri Ducharme

Click here to read instructor bios.

Camp Music Book
Every camper will receive a sheet music collection of all the tunes taught at Camp, plus several more contributed by each instructor.

Special for Beginners
All beginner's courses are taught by instructors particularly adept at helping beginners. See course descriptions for details.

The Site, the Food, the Bears
The site is beautiful Tilden Park in Berkeley. For those who wish the full immersion experience, Camp is now overnight -- you can stay Friday and/or Saturday overnight. Last year's food got rave reviews and this year we will have a staff person full time at Camp handling meals and administrative details.

Click here for directions and a map to the campsite.



Saturday's Schedule (8/11/07)

9:00

Morning Tea and Coffee
10:00

Accordion Folk Orchestra: Greek Music and Beyond with Kaila Flexer
(Everyone)
12:00

Lunch
1:00
Intro to Blues on Accordion and
Orff Instruments
All Levels
Sarah Noll
Conjunto Polka Styles
Int./Adv.
Lauro Guajardo
Dark Caberet
All Levels
Kaila Flexer & Henri Ducharme
3:00

Snack
3:30

Teacher Performances
4:00

Individual and Group Practice with Instructors
(Everyone)
6:00

Dinner
7:00

Conjunto Jam Session
(Everyone)

Click here for full class descriptions.

Sunday's Schedule (8/12/07)

9:00

Morning Tea and Coffee
10:00

Body Percussion (and Accordion!) with Keith Terry
(Everyone)
11:30

Lunch
12:30

Gypsy Ensemble Master Class with Stuart Brotman
(Everyone)
1:30

Gypsy Ensemble
Int./Adv.
Stuart Brotman
Beginner's Ensemble
Beg./Int.
Sarah Noll
2:15

Snack
2:45

Klezmer
Beg./Int.
Stuart Brotmant

French Music
Adv.
Lou Jacklich

Bass Technique
Int./Adv.
Henri Ducharme
4:00

Teacher Performances/
Individual and Group Practice with Instructors
(Everyone)
5:00

Klezmer Jam with Dorrit Geshuri
(Everyone)
6:00

Goodbye Until Next Year

Click here for full class decriptons.

Pricing

This year, you can sign up for one or two full days of camp only.

Pricing depends on whether you register early and how much you are able to pay. In order to make camp financially possible for everyone, we are offering a two-tiered pricing system.

~Middle class pricing is regular pricing intended for individuals who own their own home or have a comfortable job.
~Not yet middle class pricing is discount pricing intended for individuals who are full-time students or starving-artist types making a low hourly wage.

Please see the table below to determine how much camp will cost for you. The price you pay is up to you, with the understanding that you will pay the regular price if you are able to.