Two small kantele weekends in summer 2015

February 16, 2015

Would you like to spend a wonderful weekend in the Finnish countryside and learn to play the 5-string kantele at the same time?  Or perhaps you would like to deepen your skills on the 10-, 11- or the 15-string kantele?

Come and join us in the retreat-like small kantele course in Mäntsälä, Finland!

The beginners course will be in June 26-28, and the intermediate course in June 31-August 2. This year the courses will be held at the Kortisto estate: www.kortistontila.fi, only 45 km from Helsinki. At the estate there is a log house called Pelkkatupa, completed in 2011. It has bright and cozy rooms, perfect for the lessons, and also accommodation in double rooms. The terrace is facing the pond, in which you can go swimming straight from the Saturday night smoke sauna!

THE BEGINNERS COURSE, June 26–28, 2015

The course is meant for adults who wish to stop for a moment to experience kantele music and refresh themselves by producing their own music on their own terms.  Previous musical background is not required. It is also possible to loan a kantele during the course. The participants are taught the basic playing techniques on the 5-string kantele and they are encouraged to produce their own music by improvising. The teacher, D.Mus. Arja Kastinen, plays also a concert for the course participants; a 45 min. improvisation after the Saturday lunch, during which the listeners can lay on mattresses if you wish, and take a little nap!

The price, 260 €, contains 10 lessons, food, accommodation, a concert during Saturday, and the smoke sauna on Saturday evening. Accommodation is in 2 bedded rooms.

The course can accommodate up to 10 participants. Registration by the 31th of May, at the latest.
The contact details are below. When you register, please tell your contact information, your age, and the possible need to loan the kantele for the course.

THE INTERMEDIATE COURSE 31.7.–2.8.2015

In the intermediate course it is possible to play all kinds of small kanteles from 5 to 15 strings, and the participants are expected to have the basic playing skills already. We learn improvisation and better mastery of playing techniques, and the creation of different timbres. The main focus, however, remains in the personal relationship with the player and the instrument.

The price, 260 €, contains 10 lessons, food, accommodation, a concert during Saturday (see the info from the beginners course), and the smoke sauna on Saturday evening. Accommodation is in 2 bedded rooms.

The course can accommodate up to 10 participants. Registration by the 30th of June, at the latest.
The contact details are below. When you register, please tell your contact information, your age, and what kind of kantele you are playing.

Both courses will start with dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday, and end with lunch at 12 on Sunday.

REGISTRATION and inquiries:  arja.kastinen@www.temps.fi