Klezmer Composition Classes

Are you ready to dive into the unique and evocative world of Klezmer composition? We are thrilled to announce a small-group online course focused on composing a Hora (Zhok) - a traditional Klezmer dance in a lively triple meter. This style has deep roots in Eastern European Jewish culture and offers both complexity and charm to those interested in expanding their compositional skills.

What You Can Expect:

  • Course Structure: This immersive course is designed over 4 x 90-minute sessions. During these sessions, Adam will cover the essentials of Hora composition, explore stylistic elements that bring authenticity, and examine the musical forms and rhythms that make this style so compelling.

  • Final Session: Our journey culminates in a fifth session where we’ll either workshop, read through, or perform each student’s completed Hora. It’s an opportunity to bring your creation to life and receive valuable feedback from your peers.

Requirements:

  • Prerequisites: This course is suited for those with a solid foundation in music theory and a familiarity with reading and writing music notation.

Details:

  • Class Size: Maximum of 10 participants, ensuring each student receives personalized feedback.

  • Pricing: $180 for the entire course—a comprehensive look into Klezmer composition at an accessible rate.

  • Format: Online, accessible to students worldwide, with classes scheduled in Australian Eastern time (Melbourne) to accommodate international participation.

  • Time and Date: Will be decided based on responses to this online form, starting in the last week of February, 2025.

If you’re passionate about expanding your musical horizons and connecting with a community of musicians and composers, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re experienced in Klezmer or simply eager to learn, this course promises an enriching exploration into the art of Hora composition.

Let us know if you're interested, and let's bring this vibrant music to life together!

Dr Adam Starr has Ph.D in Composition (University of Melbourne), and two Masters degrees in Composition, including one from the Royal College of Music (UK). He has lectured in Composition for many years in the Melbourne Polytechnic Bachelor of Music degree, and has written music for film, television and the concert hall. Adam will run these classes in a warm and inclusive manner.

What previous students say:

“I have had the pleasure of taking part in Adam's first Klezmer composition course.

While I have many years of experience as a performer, teacher and composer of folk music, I was very interested to find out Adam's approach. I found it really systematic, well thought out and that each week built on the previous week's learning very effectively. To be honest, I am pretty chuffed with the end result of my composition, having used various tools that Adam suggested to make the piece flow, in a way that was far more conscious and deliberate than I would have otherwise done.

I believe the end result was, therefore, more sophisticated.

Thank you Adam” (Audrey K.)

Audrey’s Zhok #1 by MKS student Audrey Klein

Hora Kandelika by MKS student Karin Spitczok