Glen Velez Frame Drum Institute
with special guest Lori Cotler

May 30 - June 1, 2008  
Application: pdf msword
Workshop limited to 15 participants

"A galaxy of timbres and inflections ... remarkable
rhythmic fireworks." - New York Times

"Performances of primal exhilaration ... seizing the soul of the music at hand." - Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The audience was rapt, absolutely still, except for those dancing in place."
— The Village Voice

"Previously I'd used the word awesome once, that was when I saw the Grand Canyon. The second time was when I spent the week studying with Glen Velez and Lori Cotler."  
— George Neidorf, Oct 2005 participant

The Frame Drum Institute is a unique opportunity for intermediate and advanced frame drummers and percussionists to study with master teacher, performer, and Grammy-winner Glen Velez in a beautiful setting.  This workshop is designed for musicians wanting to expand their abilities on frame drums by learning an extensive repertoire of techniques from Arabic, South Indian, Mediterranean and Central Asian frame drumming styles. Through Glen's innovative Handance method, students will increase their sound-making skills on frame drums as well as learn myriad new rhythmic phrasings from traditional sources. Glen will also demonstrate and incorporate Overtone Singing as a way of focusing on the importance of breath awareness in our drumming. Using a call and response learning style, we will enjoy the wonder of a group drumming experience in a musically stimulating environment. In addition, celebrated rhythm vocalist Lori Cotler will integrate her innovative use of South Indian Drum Language to accelerate our learning and discover new ways of using our voice.

Overview - The Frame Drum Institute allows for an exhilarating musical interaction between fifteen adult participants and one of the most exciting percussionists of our time in an informal setting which will include master classes, private lessons, opportunities for student jams, and performances. About the Artists

Accommodation and Travel

The Centennial House Bed and Breakfast

www.thecentennialhouse.com
94 Main Street
Northfield, MA 01360

Airports (both about an hour and a half from Northfield):
Logan International Airport Boston, MA
Bradley International Airport Hartford, CT
Bradley airport was recommended by the innkeeper as it is a straight shot up Interstate-91 and the cabs there are used to driving to Northfield, MA, whereas Boston car services tend to not be familiar with the drive. Also, travelers don't have to deal with Boston traffic if they use Bradley, which is just outside of Hartford. However, flying to Boston may be more affordable. The choice, of course, is up to you.  

Class Descriptions - Workshop and private sessions will address teaching and playing with regard to topics such as:

- Arabic Rhythms
- South Indian Drum Language (Solkattu)
- Snapping Techniques on Tar and Bodhran
- Riq, Arabic Tambourine Techniques
- South Italian Tambourine Styles
- Overtone Singing
- Integration of Simple Pulsing and Vocalizations
- Group Improvisation Techniques
- Hybrid Techniques, including Glen's original Mediterranean style
- Ideas for Frame Drum Compositions
- Introduction to Shaker Techniques

For artist information, please visit:

For workshop information please contact us

410-374-9059
mtfarmer@classactsontour.com

GLEN VELEZ
Three-time Grammy Award winning master drummer, composer and educator

"A galaxy of timbres and inflections ... remarkable rhythmic fireworks."
- New York Times
"Performances of primal exhilaration ... seizing the soul of the music at hand."
- Cleveland Plain Dealer
"The audience was rapt, absolutely still, except for those dancing in place."
- The Village Voice

Glen Velez is considered one of the most influential percussionists our time, as well as being responsible for a worldwide resurgence in the popularity of the frame drum. His teaching and performances inspired the Remo Drum Co. in 1983 to develop a line of frame drums called the Glen Velez Signature Series. The Cooperman Drum Co. introduced a handmade Signature Series Glen Velez Tambourine and Frame Drum line in 1999. 

Even twentieth century composer, John Cage acknowledged Velez' mastery when he wrote a piece especially for him in 1989, entitled "Composed Improvisation for One-sided Drum with or without Jingles."

While Glen draws upon the great drumming traditions of the Middle East, South India and the Mediterranean world (ancient and modern), he plays in a style all his own. Utilizing a vast culmination of complex hand and finger techniques, he creates a symphony of sound and texture from just a single hand-held drum. Glen is also an expert in Central Asian Overtone Singing (singing two tones at once). During concerts, he often gives his audiences a spontaneous crash course in this style.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, frame drumming was an omnipresent tool of ritual. It should also be noted that the use of the frame drum, shaker and voice are instruments most commonly used wherever shamanic healing practices are found. These healing and celebratory themes are audible threads that weave all through Glen's recordings and live performances.

Glen has gained international recognition as a solo artist and is also known for his 15-year recording and performing collaborations with composer Steve Reich as well as the Paul Winter Consort. Other collaborations include: Tan Dun, Israel Philharmonia, Brooklyn Philharmonia, Opera Orchestra of New York, Suzanne Vega, Pat Metheny, Zakir Hussain, New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Orpheus Chamber Ensemble. His own compositions have been featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and John Schaefer's New Sounds and have been commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and Reader's Digest. He has written music for theater and dance and recorded hundreds of albums on ECM, CBS, RCA, GRP, Warner Brothers, Deutsche Gramophone, Geffen, Nonesuch, Capital, and Sony.

In addition, he has several instructional videos, 5 instructional books and over a dozen recordings of his own music on CMP, Music of the World, Sounds True, Interworld, Ellipsis Arts and DafTof Records. Glen is a master teacher who conducts workshops worldwide and has published numerous books and articles on the subject. Velez developed his own teaching approach called “The Handance Method.” It incorporates voice and body movement into the process of learning to play the frame drum and has been presented in hundreds of universities worldwide. He currently teaches frame drums at the Mannes School of Music, as well as series of master classes at The Julliard School and Manhattan School of Music.

Glen Velez regularly performs with Cellist David Darling and Coleman Barkes, world-renown scholar/translator of the poetry of Rumi. He is also active with his own Glen Velez Ensemble, along with his duo performances with critically acclaimed vocalist/rhythm singer Lori Cotler. Glen's new release, Rhythms of the Chakras Vol. 2, featuring Lori Cotler, will be released on the Sounds True label in 2008. For more info visit: www.glenvelez.com  www.myspace.com/glenvelez

LORI COTLER

" Using her voice in mystically percussive ways." 
- The New Yorker

" Lori Cotler Sings Konnakol, Southern Indian-style chants at impossibly breakneck speed ... she perforned with peerless artistry and in a seemingly effortless manner." 
- The Jerusalem Post

"Lori Cotler is a phenomenon among vocalists. She's gifted with the rhythmic precision and invention of a master drummer, the imagination of a poet, plus amazing control over a multitude of vocal colors, styles and influences. You must hear Lori Cotler." -  Eugene Friesen (Grammy Award Winning Cellist/Composer)

"The vocal work of Lori Cotler is positioned like
one of the vanguardistas of the world."
- Milenio, Tamps. Mexico

"Lori Cotler is a true artist and deep soul" 
- Edward Bilous, award-winning composer,
Chairman of Literature & Materials of Music at the Julliard School

Lori Cotler's stunning rhythmic adeptness and genre-bending dexterity puts her in a class all her own among contemporary vocalists.  Drawing from the highly sophisticated South Indian rare vocal art form known as Konnakol, she can execute vocal maneuvers which do not seem possible in their rhythmic speed and clarity — jazz chanteuse meets consummate rhythm vocalist meets, conquers and fuses the sound of the urban world.

This New York born talent is a fearless vocalist who can soar through complex rhythmic syncopations, then in half a moment flow into achingly tender velvet-toned melisma. Lori began traditional music training at age six and now holds a Bachelor Degree of Music from Berklee College of Music as well as a Masters Degree in Music Therapy from New York University. She has been invited to present her unique approach to the voice at some of the most  prestigious universities and organizations: The Julliard School, Mannes College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Royal Academy of Music (Stockholm, Sweden), Berklee College of Music, New School University, Antioch University McGregor Program, SESC (São Paolo, Brazil), Out North (Anchorage, Alaska), Confederation House (Jerusalem, Israel) and The Academy — A Program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School and The Weill Music Institute.

Audiences planetwide have been stunned then entranced by her virtuosic sound and artistry. Over 80,000 viewers were captivated last year by video clips (still posted) of Lori's rhythm singing on the web. Hers was the first Konnakol video uploaded to that venue, creating major buzz and introducing viewers to a vocal style that many had probably never heard before.

Lori is a Screen Actors Guild member active in the commercial music field. She records for film and TV utilizing her wide knowledge of composition and her vocal mastery. Recent vocal & visual work has been with distinguished multi-award winning composers Edward Bilous and Robert Miller, along with esteemed filmmakers, Bruce Ashely and Chuck Fishbein.

Lori regularly tours with three-time Grammy Award winning Master Percussionist Glen Velez, and has been collaborating with the renowned trumpeter Lew Soloff (Blood, Sweat and Tears), Oscar winning music producer Leo Sidran and master Beatboxer/Performing Artist Adam Matta. Other collaborations include: Howard Levy, Sonny Fortune, Paul Giger, Enzo Rao, Eugene Friesen, Robert Een, Kenwood Dennard, Javier Paxariño, Bubble Beatz and Julliard Axiom Ensemble. Her live performances have included radio concerts broadcast on Spanish National Radio 4 (Barcelona, Spain), Italian National Radio 3 (Rome, Italy) and National Public Radio.

Lori’s latest solo recordings are available as single downloads on the web. She’s also very excited about her most current work as co-producer and featured vocalist on the upcoming Glen Velez recording, 'Rhythms of the Chakras Vol. 2' to be released in both CD and digital format on the Sounds True label in 2008.

Finally, Lori actively lends her musical talents and passion for running to raise funds for charity organizations. Most recently she was invited to contribute her music to The Congo Square Project, a charity to to raise support for New Orleans' musicians in need. An avid runner and proud member of the New York Road Runners Club, Lori regularly races to support charities, notably the John W. Nick Foundation, Inc., where she ran the 2007 NYC Half-Marathon to raise funds and awareness of Male Breast Cancer. Lori is scheduled to run her first NYC Marathon in 2009, charity to be announced. More info visit:  www.loricotler.com    www.myspace.com/loricotler

GLEN & LORI

Glen and Lori's live performances create a sacred-space, a musical setting where the ancient and modern worlds collide, where sound and pulse become a sanctuary. While Glen draws upon the great drumming traditions of the Middle East, South India and the Mediterranean world (ancient and modern), he plays in a totally original style. Utilizing a vast culmination of complex hand and finger techniques, he creates a symphony of sounds and textures from just a single hand-held drum.

"Extreme virtuosity and imagination ... astonishing sophistication" - New York Times

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