CAMP MMW

This summer, August 5 - 10, pack up your instrument, open your mind, and enter the boundary-breaking world of Medeski Martin & Wood. Camp MMW is an incredible opportunity for musicians of varying levels and ages, to live and study with MMW in the intimate setting of a beautiful Catskill Mountain resort.

           
You and a select group will gather together for five days of intensive workshops and seminars, deep listening, musical exploration, and improvisation. No matter what instrument you play, you will expand your approach to music, improve your listening skills, and interact with other musicians in a completely fresh, innovative way. You will break with convention, bust out of your safety zone, and dare to try new things. Think of it as musical cross training. You might be a guitarist, and study melody with keyboardist, John Medeski. Or a horn player that works on mastering rhythm with drummer, Billy Martin. Maybe you are a pianist that wants to develop your groove with bassist, Chris Wood. There will be special guests, group collaborations, and, of course, exclusive performances by MMW. In the anything-goes, non-traditional atmosphere of Camp MMW, you will be encouraged to experiment, test your limits, take risks, and enjoy newfound freedom in the process.

80,000 acres of New York States Catskill Mountain wilderness is the backdrop to the collective creative energy of Camp MMW. You will be staying at the lovely Full Moon Resort, which features charming accommodations in either their turn-of-the-century Catskill country inn known as the Valley View House, or one of seven lodges, cabins, or cottages. The Valley View House is the center of activities at Camp MMW, and offers cozy and comfortable common areas, including a wrap-around sun porch, library and the main dining room. To maintain the spirit of discovery, rooming with friends/family/romantic partners is not permitted (although some exceptions may apply), and you will be paired with a same-sex roommate(s). As a Camp MMW guest, you will be provided with three organic, gourmet meals each day, access to Full Moons spring-fed, Olympic size swimming pool, hiking trails, meadows, and the Esopus Creek.

A typical day at Camp MMW begins with a buffet breakfast with your fellow campers, and the band, from 8AM to 9AM, followed by a Master Class/Seminar with MMW at 9:30AM. At Noon, you will break for a buffet lunch, from 12:15 to 1:15PM, followed by some free time until 2:45, when everyone breaks up into groups for workshops with individual band members and special guests. At 6:00, everyone gathers for a seated dinner, followed by the evenings event, which might be a performance and jam sessions, or a film and discussion, a bonfire, a dance party, or who knows what! You will share most of your meals with John, Billy, and Chris, and participate in fun and exciting activities together throughout the week.

Camp MMW runs from Tuesday, August 5th, to Sunday, August 10th, and is for musicians ages 16 and up. Space is limited to 80 students, and you must provide a recording of your work. All instruments are welcome, with an interest in creating variety! Applications, along with pricing and detailed instructions, available on-line at www.mmw.net. We encourage you to get your application in early. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2008.