What is Yiddish Summer Weimar?

What is Yiddish Summer Weimar?
YSW is one of the most highly regarded festivals for Yiddish music and culture in the world. Our broad vision is not limited to "only" klezmer music. For more information about what makes us unique, see "Our Philosophy" on our website. back

Where and when does YSW take place?
Every summer in July and August in Weimar, Germany. back

Who can participate in YSW?
There are many workshops, concerts, jam sessions and other events that are aimed at all ages and skill levels. The workshops are organized by level of experience and expertise, from beginning to advanced and professional musicians. If you're not sure what level is right for you, please feel free to ask us for advice. back

What kind of recognition has YSW received?
In 2016, co-founder and artistic director Dr. Alan Bern was awarded the prestigious Weimar prize and the Thüringer Verdienstorden. Also, in recent years, we received first prize for intercultural and intergenerational music activity from the nationwide German Music Council, and were selected as one of the 36 "most vital, innovative and effective European institutions" dealing with Jewish themes by the Westbury Group in its publication, "Compass 36" (www.compasseurope.org).

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Who runs YSW?
YSW is run by the non-profit organization Other Music Academy e.V.. You can find information about our mission and bylaws and how to become a member at: www.othermusicacademy.eu back

What is the Other Music Academy?
It's a think tank, an educational center and a cultural platform under the direction of Dr. Alan Bern that brings together musicians, artists, scholars, and scientists from around the world to exchange ideas, create projects, teach and interact with students and others to promote an intercultural philosophy.

www.othermusicacademy.eu back

Who teaches the YSW workshops?
The faculty comprises only professional and highly qualified artists and scholars, including instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, musicologists, linguists and more, who work primarily in teams and understand teaching and learning as an interactive dialogue between teachers and students, not a one-way street. back

What happens in a workshop?
Typically, several subjects are covered each day. Music theory, instrument classes, ensembles, orchestra, master classes, discussions and movement/awareness work are often important elements of a workshop. In the evenings, public jam sessions in the historic outdoor cafés of Weimar take place, a perfect and supportive chance to try out some of the things taught during the day in the workshop. The actual learning process in each workshop is the most important guide to what happens, allowing both the students and the teachers to go deeply into a subject together. back

How big is the "workload" during the workshops?
The workshops are meant to be intensive, and they are! Most workshops meet from 10:00 am to 1 pm, from 3 pm to 6 pm, and then again in the evenings, depending on the mood and energy of the official and unofficial jam sessions. Concerts and other evening events are considered a regular part of the workshop.
Over the course of an 8-day workshop, the total instruction time adds up to at least 50 hours, in other words, the equivalent of almost 4 semesters of a university level course! back

Are there also continuing courses?
All courses build off of each other and are the result of the experiences from previous courses. However, only certain courses specifically require students to have attended previous workshops. back

Where do the workshops and concerts take place?
Workshops take place either in the "Johann Nepomuk Hummel"-Musikschule, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1, in the Other Music Academy, Ernst-Kohl-Str. 23, or in the mon ami cultural center,  Goetheplatz 11.
Concerts also take place in the Music School, in mon ami other central locations in Weimar. You will receive complete information along with your participation information. Any changes will be announced during the workshops. back

Can I receive a certificate of participation?
Every participant who wishes can receive an acknowledgement of participation based on the length and content of the workshops taken back

Is there a rebate if I take part in more than one workshop?
When participating in a workshop longer than 3 days, the fee is reduced from the 4th day by 15€ and from the 7th day again by 5€. Workshops that last longer than 3 days already reflect this rebate in their price. This fee reduction is calculated based on the total number of days you participate in workhops during Yiddish Summer Weimar.
 If you have any questions concerning workshop fees, feel free to contact us by email at  or by phone at +49 3643 858310. back

Can I pay the registration fee in installments?
The registration is only valid when the complete fee has been received by us. However, if it is not possible for you to send the complete fee at once, please contact us directly by email at  or by phone at +49 3643 858310. back

What payment options are there?

When you register, you can choose from among the following options on our payment page:

• Book the fee directly from your account via SEPA direct debit (no surcharge)
• Giropay (no surcharge)
• Paydirekt (no surcharge)
• Paypal (applicable fees)
• Credit card payment (no surcharge)

If you have a euro bank account, we kindly ask that you choose the first option (direct debit), as SEPA transaction costs for us are very low. 
If you do not have a euro account, please use Paypal. Please pay via credit card only if no other option is available. Thank you for helping us keep transaction costs low!
Payments are made entirely through our bank partner Girocheckout. Your payment details will be processed only for purposes of payment or eventual chargeback.
For information on additional payment options in justifiable exceptional cases, please contact us at . 

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Can I pay you in cash and in person?
No. It is unfortunately no longer possible to pay in cash. In order to successfully plan the festival, we must guarantee the number of registrations a number of months in advance. We also maintain the right to withhold administration fees and/or the complete course fee in the event of cancellations. 

If it is impossible for you to pay the fees online, please send an email to  or call us to explain your situation and we will try to work something out. We thank you for your support and understanding. back

Will I receive a refund  if I am unable to attend?
The deadline for cancelling a registration is June 12, 2019. If you cancel by this date other music e.V. will refund your registration fee, minus 150 €. After this date, a refund is not possible.

In order to hold a workshop, we need a minimum number of registrations by June 12. If the number of registrations is insufficient Other Music Academy e.V. reserves the right to cancel the workshop; in such a case you will be fully reimbursed. Please register early to help ensure that the workshops take place and to help us plan ahead. Thank you!

To avoid unnecessary expenses, we recommend you purchase cancellation insurance for both your travels and the seminars.

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What happens if a course is cancelled?
In order for the workshops to take place, a minimum number of participants must be registered before June 12, 2019. If this number of registration is insufficient, Other Music Academy e.V. reserves the right to cancel the workshop; in such a case you will be fully reimbursed. Please help us make sure every workshop happens by registering early. Thank you!

To avoid unnecessary expenses, we recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance for both your travels and seminars. back

Is there a student rebate?
Yes. Students and people with limited financial means can, along with all other participants, choose between three course fees: “Reduced,” “Standard,” and “Supporter.” In addition, you can always apply for a scholarship. back

Is there an Early Bird rebate?
Yes, there's an early bird registration discount of 20€. Deadlines are announced on the online registration form. Please note that your registration is only valid after the complete course fee has been received. You will then receive a written confirmation of your registration. 
If you have any questions, be sure to contact us by email at  or by phone at +49 3643 858310. back

Is there a rebate for Other Music Academy e.V. members?
Yes. Every member receives a one-time discount of 25 € for Yiddish Summer Weimar 2019. If you have any questions, be sure to contact us by email at  or by phone at +49 3643 858310. back

What is the "Supporter" fee?
Music students help each other! This fee offers you the opportunity to help worthy students with limited financial means participate in Yiddish Summer Weimar. Together, three sponsor fees combine to create one scholarship for a deserving student. With a fee structure of 100€ per day, reduced to 85€ from the fourth day and 80€ from the seventh, you are doing a good deed and directly helping your fellow musicians!

With the "Supporter" fee, participants from all across the world help each other and have the opportunity to learn, work together, make music and create international contacts. back

How do I register?

Please register using the online registration form. If this is not possible, you can also request a registration form by phone (+49 3643 858310) or email ()
Please fill out the registration form for the workshops, keeping in mind that you might be eligible for early booking or other discounts. You can send us the form online, or mail it to 
Other Music Academy e.V. | Ernst-Kohl-Strasse 23, 99423 Weimar

Please note that your registration will only be valid and binding once your workshop fee has been credited to our account! back

Can I register for additional courses after my initial registration and payment?

Yes, it is possible to sign up for additional workshops after registration. Please note, however, that we cannot offer discounts retroactively for courses you have already registered for. 
To register for additional workshops later, please contact us by email at , or by phone at +49 3643 858310.

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What happens to my personal data?

Data security is a high priority for us. For this reason, we strictly adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came  into force in May 2018. You can find information about it in our Data Privacy Statement. back

Accommodations in Weimar
Each participant is responsible for his/her own accomodation arrangements. But we're glad to recommend hotels, hostels and pensions that act as our partners. Please see the link "Accomodations." back

What are the arrival and departure times?
We recommend that you arrive the evening before the day your workshop begins. If you want to arrive the same day the workshop begins, please be sure to arrive no later than 9 am. We recommend that you depart the day after the workshop ends. back

Eating out in Weimar
Participants have time in the breaks to go out to eat or to eat food they bring themselves. We offer coffee, tea and fruits in our small cafeteria during the day. There are many good and relatively inexpensive places to eat close to the workshop venues, including also organic and vegetarian food. 

Unfortunately there are no kosher restaurants in Weimar. back

Are there Scholarships?
Yes, every year there are also scholarships – one can apply for them directly. An internal committee decides on the award of course fee. In return, it is expected that recipients will assist in the festival and take on certain responsibilities. The awarding of scholarships is dependent upon the yearly budget. There is therefore no legal claim to a scholarship award. The application must be received in the ​Other Music Academy e.V. o​ ffice no later than ​May 1, 2019​. back

How do I apply for a scholarship?
To apply for a scholarship, please send an email to  explaining:
- your financial situation
- your travel plans
- your musical background (for music workshops)
- you language background (for language courses)
- anything else that might help us understand your need for a scholarship back

What are the criteria for awarding a scholarship?
The number of scholarships for each course is limited. In considering a candidate's eligibility, we take into account the following factors: exorbitant travel costs (as for those arriving from a foreign country), inability to pay for the course itself, and a lack of any other form of financial support - whether private (from family members) or official (additional/previous scholarships). In your application, please be sure to explain your situation and reasons for applying.   back