Now enrolling for August 2024!

Songs & Stories from the Middle Ages

Aug 19-25, 2024

This summer workshop and performance outing has been among our participants' favorite parts of the SHAK year for more than a decade! Enjoy bringing history to life by performing in real period costume. Choose music and/or drama option. After a friendly five-day learning workshop, our groups perform for the public at Camlann Medieval Village. You can see glimpses from our past seasons here.

For the Mon-Fri camp week, choose music only (short day), drama only (afternoons only), or both (full day).

Note about repertoire: We include as much secular material as possible, and we also sing music that comes from the Catholic church tradition, where music was more likely to have been written down and preserved. Kids and teachers alike are here to enjoy the fun and beauty of this material as historians. All are welcome!

Music (9:30-1:30): Sing thrilling centuries-old melodies in small and large ensembles, led by director Shulamit Kleinerman and accompanied by instruments of the period such as the vielle (medieval fiddle). Skilled student instrumentalists may be able to participate, and advanced singers may join as soloists; please inquire. For non-soloist singers, no special training is required but participants need to have gained basic pitch-matching ability.

Drama (1:30-3:30): Revel in playful stories of transformations and miracles, adapted from medieval sources with a humorous twist by Shulamit Kleinerman and coached by Carmen Mettler.

Who can participate

  • Kids and teens, 7-18
  • From newcomers to experienced singers or actors
  • Everyone works at their own level
  • No performance experience is required, but...
  • ...If you are signing up for singing, please be able to match pitch
  • Instrumentalist participation is by invitation only; please inquire!

Schedule

Workshop

Mon-Fri Aug 19-23 at director's studio in the Lake City neighborhood (Address given upon enrollment)

Choose full-day, or part-day music or drama options:

  • Music: 9:30am-1:30pm (bring lunch)
  • Drama: 1:30-3:30pm
  • Full day: 9:30-3:30

Performances

Sat-Sun Aug 24-25 at Camlann Medieval Village

Arrive at 11am for afternoon performances ending at 5pm

Cost

All of SHAK's programs operate on a sliding-fee model.

Above local median household income / net worth, suggested tuition payments: 

  • $325-425 for music only
  • $275-350 for drama only
  • $490-590 for the full day 

Near local median household income / net worth, suggested tuition payments: 

  • $250-275 for music only
  • $190-250 for drama only
  • $325-450 for the full day 

Below local median household income / net worth: No one turned away for lack of funds. Please pay whatever makes sense for your household, in line with the percentage you pay for your student's other extracurricular activities.

At SHAK we know that everyone benefits when our programs are accessible, diverse, and welcoming!

Register online

Know before you enroll:

  • Newcomers to SHAK: 
    • The registration form does NOT hold a place in the workshop until any payment due has been received. Please wait to sign up until you are ready to complete your registration. 
    • No audition is required. Since this project is focused on group singing with performances for the public, you will be asked to provide a reference contact (usually a music teacher) who can speak to the participant's basic pitch-matching ability. 
  • Returning SHAK participants: If you haven't done any small-group singing with SHAK before, please contact Shula before enrolling. If you have already done a project like this with SHAK, you may skip that step and enroll directly. 

Registration form

Registration form for NEWCOMERS

Registration form for RETURNING PARTICIPANTS

Your registration is complete only when we receive any payment that is due. You may pay either by credit card below, or by check to SHAK, PO Box 27472, Seattle WA 98165

You should hear from us within 3 business days of our receipt of your payment. In the unlikely event that your form or our reply gets lost in the ether, please reach out through the website's Contact page.

Sliding-fee in-person tuition payment
  • Sliding-fee in-person tuition payment

Sliding-fee in-person tuition payment

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