From 1 July-30 Sept 2006, CURTIS W. ROBINSON will conduct a 3 month (1 session per week) music performance course. Venue: IMPIANA KLCC HOTEL, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. IDIOM: Jazz, Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Funk and Soul. Open to musicians of various instruments.

Curtis Robinson is a professional jazz musician, with over 30 years of experience in jazz performance. He hails from Chicago, U.S.A. Besides performing, Curtis has taught jazz, blues and Rhythm & Blues at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago for 13 years. He has performed with Bobby Lewis (album “Inside this song” & “Bobby Lewis Part II), Ira Sullivan, Freddy Cole, Charles Earland, Johnny Hartman, Esther Philips, Kenny Burrell, Grammy Award nominee Ramsey Lewis, and many others. Kenny Burrell in Guitar Player Magazine (April 1981) also mentioned Curtis Robinson’s impressive talents and musical versatility. Curtis Robinson recorded “Tribute to Messengers” in 2002.

• COURSE PREFACE
  
  “APPROACH TO MUSIC PERFORMANCE: JAZZ, BLUES and RHYTHM & BLUES”
  
  This course is ideal for musicians and vocalists who yearn for the extra mile in jazz performance. Reading and writing music IS NOT a requirement for participants. They will learn to play their instrument the way jazz, blues & rhythm & blues music should sound. Curtis W. Robinson, Jr is a performance-oriented instructor. Those attending this course will learn to interact musically within oneself and with the ensemble. Many musicians in the Chicago area have benefit from him at The American Conservatory of Music, which has high quality students graduating each year. Therefore, the motive of this course is to enable participating students to be a “street smart” performer. Such values and knowledge can only be gain from a musician who has been through it all. This IS the Real-Deal!
  
  This is a specially designed course for students, especially those with classical music training, wants to learn more about playing jazz, and blues music. Those who are already playing this genre of music will advance further in terms of practical knowledge. There is no better way than to have an instructor, who is also a performing musician from Chicago to teach you the basics to achieve your potential. Parents are also welcome to accompany their children. It is a great way for parents and children to spend an educational outing together. Whether you aspire to be a jazz musician or just a serious hobby of playing music, learning the right way and more importantly, having lots of fun at it is essential to maintain a long-term interest.
  
  There are no age preference criteria for this course. Having basic skills on your instrument and a desire to improve is the only requirement.
  
  However, this course can cater only a maximum of 200 participants. Each class is not conducted seminar style, but rather in small classroom situation. Curtis Robinson prefers to provide individual attention to his students.

• PROGRAM MODULE
  “AN APPROACH TO MUSIC PERFORMANCE”
  
  Basic approach to individual’s instrument
  Music Evaluation
  Transcribe music
  Ear training
  How to approach the rhythm section
  Playing music from a musical perspective
  "Street Smart" playing
  Music analysis
• 
  “HAVE FUN WITH JAZZ, BLUES and RHYTHM & BLUES”
  
  Introduction to practical Dixieland, Swing, Bebop, Fusion, Soul, Funk, Rhythm & Blues
  Basic approach to individual’s instrument
  The sound of Jazz
  “Playing Jazz IS having FUN”
  Introduction of the Blues
  How to play the Blues
  “Playing the Blues is fun Too!”
  The language of Jazz – “Speaking in music”
  The soul of Rhythm & Blues / The basic of Funk music
  Playing with a rhythm section – “The joy of an ensemble”

• COURSE DURATION
  This course is three (3) months in duration, from July 1- September 30, 2006. Altogether, there are twelve (12) lessons, with 3-4 hours dedicated to each lesson to ensure students achieve proper understanding of every session. Participants have a week to complete their assignments. Every session involves a topic that relates to the previous week’s lesson. Therefore, it is important that students treat all assignments seriously.
  
  Curtis Robinson will designate students to groups similar to their performance level. Students to be categorized on July 1 & 2, 2006.

• COURSE FEES
  
  “AN APPROACH TO MUSIC PERFORMANCE” RM 1,000.00
  -Jazz, Blues, Funk, Soul and Rhythm & Blues-
  
  To register, please call Albert Yap c/o FINE HARVEST SDN BHD 017-3814493 / 03-42954800 (phone/fax)
  Or email bassgroove100@yahoo.com
  Add RM80.00 for registration fee. Assignment preparation package is given to students upon registration.

• ORGANIZER’S PROFILE
  
  The organizer for this program is Fine Harvest Sdn Bhd. It organizes events i.e. motivational & team-building camps and corporate tours & travels. Now, the company seriously dedicates its projects towards bringing international instructors from abroad to transfer their knowledge to our very own local talents. This is a long-term project where we can continuously contribute towards growth within the modern music fraternity in Malaysia.
  
  Many potential students cannot gain entry to local college / universities due to academic requirements. Those from this category will benefit from this course, simply because the only requirement that we need is basic skills on your instrument, and a desire to improve. We realize many musicians cannot achieve their true potential if an opportunity to excel is not available to them.
  
  Malaysia has many musicians of contrasting styles. There are many who yearn for an overseas music education program. Such a program will overall cost the very least RM 20,000.00, even just to attend a summer course in U.S. at a university of any choice. We provide this opportunity to students to learn from a proven performer cum educator, by importing their knowledge and transferring that technology over here.
  
  We realize that good music education do cost a considerable amount of money. Many aspiring local musician, unfortunately cannot afford such financial advantage. We hope to a certain extent that this program can provide vital information to overcome the lack of proper music instructions.

F. A. Q.

· Is it really that performance oriented?
Yes, that is the whole idea behind the program….because you get a caliber performer cum music instructor to conduct the course. Do be aware that only a professional working musician can relate the subject of performance to its students.

· Why do you mention “street-smart”?
Because the books only tell you about the theoretical aspect…to an extent only a small amount of performance related materials. So, to be able to perform effectively, it is best to know the vital application of individual skills during performance, which you will not find from instructional books.

· Paying RM1,000 to attend the course…is it expensive?
A return airfare to U.S.A. to attend a short course is much more expensive. If you do your calculations, you are actually only paying RM83.30 per lesson. In U.S., a private music lesson will cost you at least USD180 for half hour to 45 minutes!

· I can’t read or write music notation, will I be at a disadvantage?
Not at all!! Curtis Robinson will be here to teach you how to play better. Remember, this is a performance course...not a music theory class. He will guide you to be a better performer. These are not theory lessons. These are sessions, which all students will learn how to have lots of fun from playing music. You have to enjoy what you are playing, to know what you are playing. Once you achieve this kind of relationship within yourself, you will know how to treat each musical situation in a different manner. That means, improvement!!!

· How many students are there in each session?
There will be about 15-20 students only, simply because students will enjoy personalized attention from the instructor.

· When is the registration dateline and where will it be held?
Registration date is from April 20, 2006. We can only cater for a maximum of 200 students. The course will be at a seminar room located Impiana Hotel, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, to ensure comfort for all participants.

· Will I get a chance to play in an ensemble?
Yes, of course!! You will be interacting with students of all level. Remember, this is a performance class. That means playing and more playing, till everyone gets it right!

· Since it only caters for about 200 students…will others get another chance to experience this kind of valuable instructions?
The organizer will bring in more than one instructor for future courses. Curtis Robinson is ideal for this purpose because he is very familiar with the Malaysian culture. This will certainly be easier for local students to adapt to him and his teaching methods.

· Where is the venue for this particular course?
It will be held at the Impiana KLCC Hotel, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur. It is a 5 star hotel and a seminar hall is allocated for this purpose. Students will enjoy the comfortable surrounding that is suitable for education. Refreshment is served after each session.

· Do I need to bring along my music instrument?
Bring your hand carry instruments i.e. guitar, bass, saxophone etc. Remember to bring along your notebook. You would not want to miss all those vital information. Bass, guitar and keyboard amplifiers will be available. There is also a set of drums and electric piano. A professional P.A. system is also available for vocalists.

· Do you cater only for professional musicians?
We cater for everyone who has basic skills on his/her instrument. I mentioned earlier that age is also not a criterion. This course is open to all those who want to improve and play better!