Camp MMW will take place in the intimate setting of a beautiful Catskill Mountain resort. You and a select group will gather together for five days of intensive workshops and seminars, deep listening, musical exploration, and improvisation. No matter what instrument you play, you will expand your approach to music, improve your listening skills, and interact with other musicians in a completely fresh, innovative way.  You’ll break with convention, bust out of your safety zone, and dare to try new things. Think of it as musical cross training. You might be a guitarist, and study melody with keyboardist, John Medeski. Or a horn player that works on mastering rhythm with drummer, Billy Martin.  Maybe you’re a pianist that wants to develop your groove with bassist, Chris Wood. There will be special guests, group collaborations, and, of course, exclusive performances by MMW. In the anything-goes, non-traditional atmosphere of Camp MMW, you’ll be encouraged to experiment, test your limits, take risks, and enjoy newfound freedom in the process.

80,000 acres of New York State’s Catskill Mountain wilderness is the backdrop to the collective creative energy of Camp MMW. You’ll be staying at the lovely Full Moon Resort, which features charming accommodations in either their turn-of-the-century Catskill country inn known as the Valley View House, or one of seven lodges, cabins, or cottages. The Valley View House is the center of activities at Camp MMW, and offers cozy and comfortable common areas, including a wrap-around sun porch, library and the main dining room. All accommodations are shared.  To maintain the spirit of discovery, rooming with friends/family/romantic partners is discouraged. As a Camp MMW guest, you’ll be provided with organic, gourmet meals each day, access to Full Moon’s spring-fed, Olympic size swimming pool, hiking trails, meadows, and the Esopus Creek.

A typical day at Camp MMW begins with a buffet breakfast with your fellow campers, and the band, from 8AM to 9AM, followed by a Master Class/Seminar with MMW at 9:30AM. At Noon, you’ll break for a buffet lunch, from 12:15 to 1:15PM, followed by some free time until 2:45, when everyone breaks up into groups for workshops with individual band members and special guests. At 6:00, everyone gathers for a seated dinner, followed by the evening’s event, which might be a performance and jam sessions, or a film and discussion, a bonfire, a dance party, or who knows what! You’ll spend most of your time with John, Billy, and Chris, and participate in fun and exciting activities together throughout the week.

Camp MMW runs from Monday, July 30 to Friday, August 3, 2012, and is for musicians ages 16 and up.

Check out our recent feature in Jazz Times published October 2011.

Please read TERMS & CONDITIONS before applying. 
Space is limited to 80 students, and applications are on a rolling admission basis starting March 5, 2012 and ending June 4, 2012.  Discounts on Full Tuition ($2,000) are available the earlier you apply.  Applications can be submitted online via the link below. 

Total program includes: organic meals, 4 full days of lessons and programs + evening events, performances, etc.  Depending on lodging option, total cost is:
- $2,000 for 4 nights shared accommodation at Full Moon Resort, Tuition, Meals or
- $1,100 for Outdoor Camping and access to public bathroom/shower facility, Tuition, Meals (campers must provide their own tent & sleeping bag, etc.)

*Discounts only applicable to Full Tuition ($2,000). No discounts to Camping-Only Option*

No later than Monday July 16, 2012

• “No matter your level of musicianship, Chris Wood, Billy Martin and John Medeski have concepts and ways of looking at music that will expand your ways of thinking and playing - unique new approaches to rhythmic concepts, ensemble playing, composition and a general spirit of inspiration. And if that’s not enough, I got to see a world class band with special guests play in an intimate setting every night.”
• “Camp MMW helped me reconnect with music.”
• “Spending as much time as I did with John, Chris, and Billy, I got to absorb their unique approaches to making music. I left camp with an enormous amount of inspiration and material which I’ve been employing in my playing and my life.”
• “Camp MMW was a life changing musical experience that I did not fully realize until I started playing gigs afterwards.  My style is organically relaxed and I’m more willing to take risks and play ‘out of the box.’”
• “Attending a master class was, at times, like taking a microscope and peering into the brains of your favorite musicians.  They each discussed their own approach to playing music and opened my mind for the better.”
• “Not only did John, Chris and Billy re-ignite my passion for music, but they fundamentally changed my entire perception of music.  I had never tried ‘free improvisation’ before. I had never challenged myself or opened myself up to the ideas and ways that they showed me.”

Closest airports: Albany, NY (Albany International Airport), Newburgh, NY (Stewart International Airport)
From Albany and Points North: Take New York State Thruway (87) South towards New York City. Get off at Exit 19, Kingston (see below)
From New York City and Points South: Take the New York State Thruway (87) North to Exit 19 (Kingston). Take Route 28 West (toward Pine Hill.)

Travel approximately 30 miles on Route 28 West to Big Indian/Oliverea. You will pass two billboards for Full Moon Resort as you get near the resort.  Turn left onto County Route 47 (just after a brown sign on Route 28 which says Oliverea 3 miles). Proceed 5 miles on Route 47. Full Moon is on the right.

It is Camp MMW’s mission to push the conventional boundaries taught in the classrooms and to give campers the musical freedom and confidence to approach music in a new way.  It is also John, Billy and Chris’ way of staying connected and giving back to the fans. Camp MMW will be offering a limited number of need-based financial aid in the form of partial scholarships. To obtain additional information, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)