Featuring Dudu Maia, Alexandre Lora, Jovino Santos Neto,
Henrique Neto, and Andy Connell
April 11 – 15, 2012
Fort Worden State Park
Port Townsend, WA
- Workshop charts (easier) (9MB)
- Workshop charts (more difficult) (9MB)
- Song samples (easier) (67 MB)
- Song samples (more difficult) (80MB)
Choro returns to Centrum in 2012 for an intense exploration of this uniquely Brazilian art form. Due to overwhelming demand, Choro has been extended to FOUR DAYS in 2012, and will again feature rehearsals and coaching combined with instrumental master classes, plus film and audio sessions of Choro innovators and masters. Participants attend group sessions as well as perform in ensembles.
Housing is in beautiful, large Victorian “officer’s houses” at Fort Worden State Park. Some of the most delightful moments of the weekend happen after dinner, when faculty and participants gather in the large living room and jam to their hearts’ content.
Participants will receive free admission to the April 14th performance in the Joseph F. Wheeler Theater.
Who should attend the workshop?
Both classical and jazz musicians will feel comfortable in this workshop, and will enjoy expanding their skills through this style. You should be proficient on your instrument, i.e. comfortable with the mechanics of playing. There will be people of different backgrounds and abilities and we’ll be sure to match you up.
How do I register?
Register online, or by calling Centrum at 360-385-3102.
What will the schedule be (approximately)?
Wednesday, 4/11
- 3:30 – 5:30pm Check-in, Centrum office
- 5 – 7pm Dinner
- 7 – 9:30pm First session
- 9:30pm Welcome reception
Thursday, 4/12
- 8 – 9am Breakfast
- 9 – 10:30am Group session
- 10:45am – 12:15pm Ensemble rehearsals
- 12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch
- 2 – 3:30pm Master Classes
- 3:45 – 5pm Ensemble rehearsals
- 5:30pm Dinner
- Evening: Open for jamming
Friday, 4/13
- 8 – 9am Breakfast
- 9 – 10:30am Group session
- 10:45am – 12:15pm Ensemble rehearsals
- 12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch
- 2 – 3:30pm Master Classes
- 3:45 – 5pm Ensemble rehearsals
- 5:30pm Dinner
- Evening: Open for jamming
Saturday, 4/14
- 8 – 9am Breakfast
- 9 – 10:30am Ensemble Rehearsals
- 10:45am – 12:15pm Master Classes
- 12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch
- 2 – 4pm Ensemble coaching
- 5:30pm Dinner
- 7:30pm Faculty Concert in Wheeler Theater.
Sunday, 4/15
- 8 – 9am Breakfast
- 9 – 10:30am Final session
- 11am Checkout
What are the costs?
- Tuition: $385
The Brazilian musical style of Choro represents the coming together of European melodic and harmonic traditions with African rhythms and sensibilities. Emerging in Brazil in the middle of the nineteenth century, Choro is a cousin of jazz, with a sense of yearning that is often described as a “sweet lament.” Many ethnomusicologists believe that the name Choro comes from the Portuguese verb chorar—that is, to weep or to cry. It often seems bright and happy on the surface, but if you dig, deeper you find a kind of sadness – a longing that the Brazilians call saudade. Something about the combination of Portuguese and Italian influences resulted in melodies with a strong romantic feeling. When joined with its African influences, Choro has an irresistible groove and rhythmic momentum that is uniquely Brazilian.