egma - the european guitar and mandolin association

European Mandolin Academy

in the  Bundesakademie Trossingen

31.8. – 5.9.2009

The European Mandolin Academy will take place from the 31st August – 5th September in the Federal Academy for Youth Education Trossingen, Germany.

 It is the only project of its kind in Europe. With its establishment the organisers aim to inform on a wide range of aspects relating to the instrument.

 It further wishes to broaden the skills and knowledge in questions relating to performance and methodology of students, future and present mandolin teachers, professional performers, and interested enthusiasts.

Organisation

The academy is organised by the Bundesakademie in cooperation with the Hochschule for Music and Dance Cologne – Wuppertal, the European Guitar and Mandolin Association and the German Federation of Plucked String Musicians (BDZ).

 Topic

This year’s topic is “The Mandolin in North America” and is a forum for musicians from different styles of music from “classical” to “popular” to meet.

 Course Tutors

The following internationally acclaimed musicians will take part

• Mike Marshall (mandolin/ guitar/fiddle) from San Fransisco (USA)
• Don Stiernberg (mandolin/guitar) Chicago (USA)
• Mirko Schrader (guitar/ ensemble)
• Caterina Lichtenberg (mandolin/artistic director), Professor for mandolin at the University of Cologne.  Professor Lichtenberg has had a long established working relationship with the American mandolin scene and has been invited to tutor there on many occasions.

Course Contents:

·        Basics of Blues & Bluegrass

·        Chord Theory

·        The characteristics of styles like for example: Jazz, Swing, Bebop or Choro

·        Theoretical studies of improvisation or chord changes

·        Rhythm

·        Percussion

·        Break down

·        Chord symbols

·        Arranging

·        The theory of basso continuo and its relationship of the notation of pop music (basso continuo meets pop)

·        Forum lessons

·        Ensemble

·        Mandolin techniques of the 18th century and their transfer to popular music

·        Lectures on the mandolin scene in North America and the mandolin in further education

·        Forum discussions with the tutors

·        Concerts

 In addition to the daily workshops, in which tunes from various styles and the above topics will be covered, there will be rehearsals of a seminar orchestra as well as jam sessions in the evening.

Furthermore there will be concerts by the tutors, participants and young talents.

 Invited Participants

The European Mandolin Academy is open to all mandolin and guitar enthusiasts, who want to broaden their horizons and further their knowledge and skills.

 Since Mike Marshall and Don Stiernberg are also accomplished acoustic guitarists and since the focus is primarily on the music and aspects of its performance, guitar players will also greatly benefit from this course.

In a market in which flexibility and a broad knowledge of styles is of great value this course can be of particular benefit to students currently studying guitar or mandolin.

Students can gain credits which can be counted towards their studies.

 Cost:

Including accommodation and full board in a twin room:

400,- Euro                  Students: 260,- Euro

 Application and further information

by the 30th June  2009-04-25

EGMA-Office, Huulkamp 26, D-22397 Hamburg, Germany,

e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Course times:

Start: Monday, 31st August 17.00  hours

End: Saturday 5th September 9:00 hours (after breakfast)