What is Yiddish Summer Weimar?

What is Yiddish Summer Weimar?

YSW is one of the most highly regarded festivals for for Yiddish and related music and cultures in the world. Our vision is intercultural and interdisciplinary. For more information about what makes us unique, see "Our Philosophy" on our website. back

Where and when does YSW take place?

Yiddish Summer Weimar takes place every summer in July and August.
The Johann Nepomuk Hummel Music School and the mon ami in Weimar are the main venues for the festival, with additional venues. Some events will take place outdoors, bringing Yiddish music to the streets of the city. The event series "Yiddish Summer Weimar goes Thuringia" will again bring some highlights of the festival to Erfurt, Eisenach and many other places in Thuringia. back

Who can participate in YSW?

YSW warmly welcomes people of all ages, nationalities, genders, confessions and other orientations. Many of our workshops, concerts, jam sessions and other events require no prior knowledge of Yiddish and related cultures. Others are organized by level of experience and expertise, ranging from introductory through professional levels. If you're not sure what's 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. We received the 1st prize for intercultural and intergenerational musical activities from the federal 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). In recent years, we have been awarded the Israeli-German Shimon Perez Prize for our Caravan Orchestra Project, and we have received funding and recognition from the Federal Cultural Foundation of Germany. For more, please see: YSW Recognition.

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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 "creation tank", an educational center and a cultural center 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 take place at various places in Weimar, 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 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 on 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 mostly take place in the "Johann Nepomuk Hummel" Music School, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 1.
Concerts also take place in the Music School, in mon ami and at 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 daily 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 workshops 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 under +49 3643 858310 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 canceled?

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 unforeseeable expenses, we strongly 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 2023. 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?

Students can 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. You can find it on the workshop descriptions page whenever registration is opened. If this is not possible for you, please call (+49 3643 858310) or email () us and we will try to find a solution.

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

All participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodations. 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 and depart the day after it ends.. If you want to arrive the same day the workshop begins, please be sure to arrive no later than 9 am. 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

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 31, 2023. 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