CARLO AONZO

1) Mandolin Master Class
Prepare a piece, if you like, or just come to observe a traditional-style master class: Carlo will give individual feedback and suggestions on technique, interpretation, improvisation, and any other aspect of performance. Bring your questions and ideas for future development!

2) Playing in the Higher Positions
Carlo will present his approach to high-register playing. Approaches to position shifting, technical considerations, and strategies for making the entire fingerboard accessible will be considered.

3) Mandolin Duets *
Carlo will explore approaches to duet playing for mandolinists. He'll begin with an introduction to standard repertoire, and continue with lesser-known works of all levels of difficulty. Early music, classical era, folk stylings, and more contemporary works: come hear Carlo's suggestions for exploring the possibilities!

BEVERLY WOODS (beginners track):

1) How to Learn Tunes *
You hear a tune you would really like to play, or find one written in a book that looks good -- how do you get your mind and fingers around that tune so that you can add it to your repertoire? The mandolin is a great instrument on which to learn tunes, and we'll explore techniques that will help you learn and retain tunes more easily. We will be working by ear, so no music reading experience is required.

2) What Goes With That Tune? Jamming and Backup Skills *
While you are learning a tune in a jam, or after you know it and want to do some arranging, how do you know what to put where? We'll explore a bit of basic theory and tune structure to help get you playing backup and harmony quickly.

3) Composing in the Tradition (with Seth Austen) *
Traditional music is alive and evolving, with new tunes being written by every generation of players. We will explore the form and structure of traditional tunes, how to get started writing tunes, and what makes a composition fit within a tradition. For all levels and instruments.

AUGUST WATTERS

1) Introduction to Chord Melody  *
The craft of balance - playing melody and chords at the same time - is the topic. We'll start with the closed-position chords that work so well on mandolin (and the mechanical devices behind them), and progress to thinking melodically, supporting melody with chords. Participants should be familiar with basic chord construction (i.e., how to spell major, minor, and seventh chords).

2) Repertoire Development for Mandolin Ensemble: Craft of the Arranger.
Come explore the world of music for mandolin ensembles -- not just music composed for mandolins, but also music written for other instruments and adapted to mandolin ensemble. Many resources will be shared for those looking for sources of interesting ensemble music.

3) Texas and Western Swing *
Western Swing music was the most popular music in Texas during the Swing Era: a Texas-grown blend of Texas fiddling, string band blues, and big band swing music. It's also a musical style where mandolin was native: Tiny Moore and Johnny Gimble made the mandolin swing! Today's mandolinists have a wealth of ideas to draw on. We'll work on closed-position chords for swing rhythm, and the phrasing that makes that Texas swing sound. Also covered: improvising over Texas tunes.

SPECIAL 2pm FRIDAY WORKSHOP:
4) Mandolin Techique/Generating Licks
We'll start by discussing effective and efficient techniques for developing tone. Then we'll discuss simple devices for developing your improvisational vocabulary. Phrasing and voice leading provide the structure for improvisation. Every improviser needs to spend a certain amount of time on vocabulary: we need to know the rules of sentence structure, but we must also think what to say!

SETH AUSTEN

1) Eastern European Musical Traditions *
The music of Eastern Europe; klezmer, Balkan, Greek and Gypsy traditions, are well suited to mandolin family instruments. We'll explore unique scales, modes and odd meter rhythms (7/8, 11/16, etc) typically used in these styles, and learn to play a few pieces. For all instruments and levels.

2) Composing in the Tradition (with Beverly Woods) *
Tradition is alive and evolving, with new tunes being written by every generation of players. We will explore form and structure of traditional tunes, how to get started writing tunes, and what makes a composition a likely fit within a tradition. For all levels and instruments.

3) Chord Construction Basics *
We'll discuss how major and minor chords are constructed and learn an easy system of playing inversions up the neck. From there we can look at other types of chords, including sevenths, suspended, etc. Once you've learned a few simple shapes, it's possible to play any chord, and in any key. This class is for mandolin or any mandolin-family instrument, fiddle, tenor banjo, or anything tuned in fifths!

*for all instruments

Beginners Track
Beginners will work with Beverly Woods -- a patient teacher with a gift for making it all understandable and getting the students playing. Each teacher will cover a variety of topics designed to get everyone playing in a group. Beginners are welcome to attend other workshops also, or move between beginners' track teachers. They'll get lots of individual attention to make sure they're getting off on the right foot!

Saturday Night Faculty Concert
Don Stiernberg & CCMC faculty
This concert will be open to the entire Cape community: an entertaining and thoughtful presentation of the world of mandolin music by the faculty of CCMC, along with Don Stiernberg. Admission price is included with CCMC tuition.

Guitars and other instruments at CCMC
There's room for guitars (both folk and classical) in most of the ensembles. Some ensembles can also accommodate fiddles, bass, banjo, and other instruments as well. Musicians who play these instruments are welcome to participate fully in the camp -- every workshop period will offer classes that are not mandolin-specific. When you register, just let us know any instrument you'll be playing.

Ensemble Performances
Playing in an ensemble is a thrill -- mandolin is such a sociable instrument! The Camp will present an opportunity for mandolinists of all levels to play, rehearse and perform in a group, and to work on those ensemble-playing skills that just can't be addressed by practicing alone.

Ensembles will be separated by level, style, and amount of interest in preparation before the festival. Some ensembles will be completely "by ear," and give the participants a chance to create an arrangement by working together, while others will pursue a polished ensemble sound while playing written, arranged and improvisational music. For those interested in preparing before the festival begins, written parts will be provided in both standard notation and tablature.

Radim Zenkl leads his advanced students in performance, CCMC 2005