Workshop of polyphonic songs with Lysander Jaffe

Workshop of polyphonic songs from the Mediterranean and Balkans with Lysander Jaffe

Pitchblend are very pleased to be working for the first time with the hugely experienced Lysander Jaffe. He has been on faculty for Village Harmony since 2013, where he has gained recognition for his accessible, yet nuanced and demanding, teaching of Georgian, Corsican, and Balkan traditional music styles. He has also worked with SongRoots, Revels Singers, and Libana, co-directs two Boston-area choirs, and has visited the UK several times to teach and perform as part of Northern Harmony choir.

"Lysander, watching you teach is such a gift. You are perfectly clear, succinctly thoughtful, well-paced and thorough. I learn from you constantly."

Northern Harmony 2016 workshop participant

Boston-based, Lysander is both a vocalist and violinist, equally at home in chamber music, traditional music, and cross-genre collaborations. Known for his command of East European and Mediterranean folk styles, he balances a busy international touring schedule with a commitment to community music in New England. He is a Co-Artistic Director of Grammy-nominated string orchestra Palaver Strings and a founding member of the Yiddish ensemble Levyosn and the genre-defying vocal quintet Culomba. He has studied with masters of traditional music in Bulgaria, Kosovo, Greece, Corsica, and Georgia, and is a two-time recipient of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Apprenticeship in Traditional Arts. Lysander co-directs two Boston area choirs.

As a teacher, Lysander believes in every student’s potential for growth and expressivity. He is passionate about broadening sonic and cultural horizons, teaching not only repertoire but listening skills and expressive vocabulary. His diverse musical experiences have made him a flexible and versatile teacher, able to meet students where they are and adapt to all learning styles and level of ability. Lysander works with students in elementary school through adulthood, and has worked with college-age students in ensemble residencies at Bennington College and Longy School of Music. 

Ticket prices

Tickets £22/18/15/10

We work hard to keep all of our events accessible to as many people as possible, while still adequately compensating our expert music leaders. To that end we offer a choice of three price bands, to suit your means, as well as a youth rate. In choosing the appropriate price band, we suggest the following guide:

Supporter: If you can comfortably afford to pay your bills, and more than one or two main holidays each year, please consider paying the supporter rate, which will help us to offer lower cost tickets to those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Standard: If you can pay all your bills, but don't have a lot of disposable income for discretionary spend, the standard ticket price may be right for you.

Concessionary: For anyone on a low income, in receipt of income based benefits, or who would struggle to pay the standard rate.

Youth: 14-21 years old. There is no charge for under 14s, accompanied by a responsible adult.

Donations: At the checkout you will be offered the option to make a voluntary donation. Donations help us to offer reduced price tickets to those who need them, but this is entirely optional, and you are free to enter whatever figure you wish here. Thank you.

As always, if you are keen to attend but cost is a barrier for you, please contact us directly to discuss options.

Timings

Workshop 18.30-21.00. Doors open at 18.00

All songs will be taught by ear, with no need to read music.

Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be provided free of charge. The venue is fully accessible.

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