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, master classes, discussions and movement/awareness work are often important elements of a workshop. In contrast to previous years, it will not be possible to divide a workshop into smaller ensembles this year, due to space restrictions over which we have no control. In the evenings, outdoor jam sessions in public places may take place as space allows, 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?
This year, each workshop will last only three hours a day in response to very unusual conditions. Most workshops meet from 10 am to 1 pm OR from 3 pm to 6 pm. Concerts and other evening events supplement the workshop content and are recommended but not required to attend. Important: Prior registration for any concert is mandatory, including for all workshop participants.This year we offer a course called Yiddish for musicians (daily 90 minutes) which will take place in the morning and afternoon. 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?
All workshops will take place in Weimar. Since all events and workshops will take place outdoors this year, we expect the presence of passersby and/or audiences. The concerts and workshops will all be located in the city center of Weimar. The exact locations can be found in the participation information. We will inform you about possible changes on-site. 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 7,50€ per day and from the 7th day again by 2,50€ per day. Workshops that last longer than 3 days already reflect this reduction 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

What happens if a course is cancelled?
In order for the workshops to take place, a minimum number of participants must be registered in advance. If this number isn't reached, Other Music Academy e.V. reserves the right to cancel the workshop; in such a case you will be fully reimbursed any fees you have already paid. 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 four course fees: “Reduced,” “Standard,” and “Supporter" and "Affected by the Corona crisis". back

Is there an Early Bird rebate?
No, there is no early bird option this year. We have adjusted the fees to match the reduced workshop hours. Please note that your registration is only valid after the complete workshop 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 50€ per day, reduced to 42,50€ from the third day and 40€ 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. You can find it on the workshop descriptions page whenever registration is opened. If this is not possible for you, you can also request a registration form by phone (+49 3643 858310) or email (registration@othermusicacademy.eu)
Please fill out the registration form for the workshops. 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 as long as these are not fully booked yet. 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
Workshop participants will have time in the breaks to go out to eat or to eat food they bring themselves. 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