A Typical Day:
· 8:00 Breakfast at the hotel
· 9:30 Leave for study (we will work with a number of instructors over the course of the program)
· 10:00 - 12:00 Group Study and Ensemble practice
· 12:00 Lunch break (as a group or OYO)
· 1:00 - 3:00 Divide into two Small Study Groups: Folkloric Percussion, or Drumset, Timbales and Congas. Then we switch groups, so you have an opportunity to learn on the full range of instrumentation. These smaller groups insure hands on participation, which is the backbone of this program. And of course, you are welcome to stay in one group or the other for more experience on a certain instrument or rhythm.
· 3:00 - 5:00 Return to hotel to refresh, have dinner, and relax
· 6:00 - 10:00 Special events, concerts, jam sessions, lectures and other music-related activities.
For three of the days, we will live and study in Matanzas and we will study with AfroCuba de Matanzas. This group is one of the most famous purveyors of Cuban folklore. Just listening to these Masters of the Drum is an incredible experience; to sit and play with them is absolutely transcendent. It’s not just about the drums and the grooves, the rhythms and technique, but more about the actual “being there,” immersed in a rich and enduring culture.
We will also be attending religious ceremonies where drums and rhythm are the backbone of the celebrations. Evenings are devoted to attending concerts and special events, soaking up the music, culture and rhythms. The Cuban music community welcomes students with open arms, and they will keep you fully involved as much as you wish.
There will be many opportunities for you to arrange to study privately with our instructors. Expect to pay approximately $10-$20/hour for private lessons.
The Fine Print
This trip is open to everyone, but U.S. citizens and residents must qualify for the General License from the United States Treasury Department. That means, “Full-time professionals whose travel transactions are directly related to research in their professional areas, provided that their research: 1) is of a noncommercial, academic nature; 2) comprises a full work schedule in Cuba; and 3) has a substantial likelihood of public dissemination.” For example, a working musician would fulfill the license requirements. Music Teachers, dancers and others involved in professional music occupations also fulfill the requirements. Our busy, full-day itinerary (4 hours/day, 20 hours/week, of organized study) fulfills condition #2. And if you are likely to perform this music in public, or lecture on these topics, or teach these rhythms to your students, fulfills condition #3.
More details at: <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html>http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html
All others are very welcome, with no need for a license.
About Chuck Silverman, Worldwide Drumming
Chuck is a specialist in applying Afro-Caribbean rhythms to the drum set. He teaches a style of learning and performing on the kit which will help you to develop command and control of the instrument. He has traveled all over the world teaching thousands of drummers, not only about traditional Afro-Caribbean rhythms like Songo, Mambo, and Samba, but also developing a more creative approach to learning the drum set by using these rhythms as a foundation.
Chuck has partnered with Canada Cuba Sport and Cultural Festivals to make trips like this one possible. He has been organizing programs in Cuba, Brazil, and Puerto Rico for many years and has a lot of expertise in the realm of travel and culture. But it’s his personal connections and relations in the international drumming community that makes this program so very special.
If you find yourself practicing the same things every day and wishing for something new to spark your creativity, this may be the opportunity for you!
Fees:
Two week program $2,700.00
One week program $1,350.00
Tuition, housing, and ground transportation is all covered in the program fee.
Deposit: $500 due by July 31, 2007, and is fully refundable if the trip has to be canceled or re-scheduled. (Considering Fidel’s health, anything could happen.)
Full Payment: due August 30, 2007.
You are responsible for your travel to Havana’s Jose Marti Airport. Let’s be in touch about our travel plans as we want make every effort to meet at Jose Martil airport within 2 hours of each other. Keep in mind that there are egregious restrictions on luggage: one checked bag not more than 45 lbs, plus one personal item to carry on.
Budget at least $US 40.00 per day for spending money (private lessons not included in the program, lunches, maybe a nice dinner occasionally). And remember, you can’t use your US-based credit cards in Cuba.
You will exchange your currency for Cuban convertible pesos. The Cuban government charges a 30% fee for exchanging your currency.
Much more information is available upon request. I can call you if you’d like to discuss any questions or concerns you might have. Send an e-mail with your number to <mailto:drumnart@earthlink.net>drumnart@earthlink.net.
Also, if you’d be so kind, please do share this information with friends and colleagues who might be interested.
More details about this, and other study trips to Brazil and Puerto Rico at
<http://chucksilverman.com/fiestadetambor.html>http://chucksilverman.com/fiestadetambor.html
Thanks,
Chuck Silverman
