In the Laurentians

Every summer I spend a week at CAMMAC, a music camp in the Laurentians. While most years I post photos of all the activities, this year I decided to just post photos of the many moments of peace that being in nature provides.

The daily schedule is quite hectic with classes, practice time, concerts ... so it is important to steal moments of tranquility, like this moment at twilight when the moon could be seen overhead.



This bell has been a fixture at the camp. It is rung to call the participants to concerts and other events.



Many swimmers take advantage of the lake - some even doing a cross lake swim at 6:30 in the morning. With all the rain we have had the water is very high and the small beach is non-existent.

Wildflowers abound along the road. I like to walk up the road to get a little quiet away from the bustle of the camp. You can always hear sound during the day on the campsite as people spend time practising for the following day.



This dragonfly also took a moment to relax.

Walking an focusing - a form of meditation. Taking time to notice the details around us.



Early morning sun reflects on the lake. There is something about being by the water that is calming.



Even rain can bring moments of contemplation. The sound, the feeling that being quietly indoors is enough.

Music was never far from the many moments of the day. Music, too, has its way of replenishing the soul.

CAMMAC Early Music Week

I've been rather silent lately - a week at CAMMAC and some time to recover. And to celebrate a birthday.

Each year I write about CAMMAC and each year I extol the wonders of a week there - friendship, incredible teachers, lots of playing music and wonderful concerts - all in a little piece of heaven. Mix this all with a lot of humour and nature and the stress level goes way down. It is like a mental reset.




For many more pictures of my week go to Flickr

Early One Morning

Early One Morning, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This year I made a point of walking down to the lake each morning before breakfast. It is usually a time of stillness, the lake calmer and the birds singing. Most mornings there was a mist lying over the hills.

I use my camera for mindfulness - to focus on what is around me even when my eye is not behind the viewfinder.



One morning two loons swam by, every so often letting out their haunting cry. Nothing says countryside, quite like their sound (Here's a video I found.)



Rain left droplets on the leaves and flowers. Stop, breathe, focus...

Morning arrives with hushed voices - each person relishing the stillness, not daring to break the magic.



Just the gentle dip of the paddle gives evidence of the activities of people.

Choppy Waters

Choppy Waters, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photos July 9, 2011
Winds rose white caps on the lake. Drier fresh air brought delight.

Saturday evening brings the opportunity for participants to perform what they learned during the week, from Baroque dance to Orff classes.

          

The chambre ensemble I played with all work (a sonata by Fasch) performed.

We had a week of listening to each other as we played, of learning from our coach and of laughter. That is one advantage of being an amateur - we always play for the pleasure of it.

Lakehouse

Lakehouse, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photos: July 8, 2011
Afternoons at CAMMAC can be leisurely for some. I took some time to walk around with my camera. Some lovely flowers grow on the site - some wild, others cultivated.

Some people take advantage of a tranquil spot to read.

Others spend time playing with others. These cello cases stood outside a room. Some lovely music whooshed out of the room - flute and two cellos.

Misty Morning

Misty Morning, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photo: July 6, 2011

A bit of rain created rising mist but it later gave way to sunshine. Classes kept me busy all morning. Afternoons are spent relaxing or playing music with others - today with two cellists.
I grabbed a few quick photos after the evening instrumental practice.



After a busy day - the evening concerts bring new delights. It is wonderful to see the more established professionals joined by younger musicians. The harpsichord player, I have known since she was a CAMMAC child. Now she is taking her place as a professional musician.



It is wonderful to see (and hear) them share their talents. We are truly spoiled  - hearing wonderful concerts, being taught by these fabulous musicians and developing personal relationships with them.

Early Morning

Early Morning, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Days are full, but when they start with views like this, peace pervades the hectic schedule. Classes take place in studios in the main lodge or in small studios in the woods.

At one time CAMMAC was a real escape from regular life. There was no radio, no newspapers, only one pay phone. The "real world" stopped and CAMMAC life began. Now there is wifi available (thought not a very robust connection). One place it seemed stronger was in in the stairwell. People could be found sitting on the stairs, connecting to the world outside.

Tuesday evening concert features participants who want to share their talents. We were treated to some cool saxophone playing and some "table music" as well as other delights.

          

The evening ended with an original composition by Matthias Maute, one of the teachers - an hommage to the late Pierrette Ferth who was a regular CAMMAC participant. We often were at CAMMAC at the same time. Beautiful music played by the professional staff - a very moving  tribute, made more so as I sat next to her husband who commissioned the work. While he beamed at hearing the music for the first time, I shed a few tears in memory.

July 7/10: Low Sun

July 7/10: Low Sun, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I started coming to CAMMAC in 1988 when my children were small. During morning classes there is a children’s programme for children from 4 ½ to 11. They do some musical activities (Orff, choir, recorder, the possibility of chamber music) as well as other activities – sports, swimming and a variety depending on the staff that week. It can be anything from woodworking, arts and crafts, folk dance or other forms of dance. During evening classes the children have some kind of game activity. This was part of why this was an ideal vacation for me. While I enjoyed my music classes, my children had fun, made friends (some of whom they still are in touch with) and had the opportunity to learn something new.

I, too, have made lifelong friends. Each year when I come back, it is like coming back to family and new people find their way in. After one season at CAMMAC they are part of this extended family. s

Situated about 1 ½ hours from Montreal, CAMMAC attracts both English and French speaking people. Participants come from all over Quebec, Ontario, other parts of Canada, the US and some have come from as far away as South Africa and Japan. People move in and out of English and French (but unilingual people can manage while having the opportunity to learn a bit of the other language) and range in age from the very young to seniors. Music keeps us all young. No one cares what people do for a living – just about what we all live for – the joy of music.

Despite the busy schedule there is always time for good conversations – over meals, which can be eaten in the dining room or outside on the porch. With afternoons free, it is delightful to play music with others or just chat – this week in the lake as we all try to cool off. But even the lake is warming up and each day is slightly less refreshing. You have to swim further out to find the cold spots..

The bugs are hungry this time of year, too. Going for an early morning or evening walk can feel like being the buffet table for the local insects.

To see more photographs click here.

July 6/10: Evening

July 6/10: Evening, originally uploaded by susanvg.

We are grappling with the heat – fans are on in most places and the main concert hall is air conditioned. Bedrooms are like steam rooms – thank goodness for fans. A dip in the lake provides temporary relief but the high heat and humidity soon are felt and the feeling of coolness quickly past. Classes go on and we laugh, play music and make new friends.

Many classes take place in practice huts in the woods, with windows on three sides. It is wonderful to play and look out on the trees . This year I have no classes in those studios, which in one way is good as they are getting very hot. My classes are in studios in the basement of the main lodge. The atmosphere may be less interesting, but the temperature counts for a lot this week.

Tuesday night is always a student concert with everything from singing to instrumental work and some energetic drumming by some of the teenagers.

July 5/10: Early Morning

July 5/10: Early Morning, originally uploaded by susanvg.

What is a day like at CAMMAC? It is not for those who want a restful vacation –stimulating, fun, musical and full of friendship, but not relaxing.

At 7:00 am one of the participants (self-selected) goes around and plays a bit of music to wake people up. By 7:00 we are lined up to get our breakfast in the cafeteria. Food is basic, but OK. At 8:20 announcements are made along with a 5 minute concert by participants. By 8:30 it’s time for classes – 3 classes of 1 ¼ hours each morning with a break for snacks. I joined two different advanced recorder groups. My third class is a small ensemble with 4 recorders, bassoon and harpsichord. We worked our way through some easy and some challenging music. All takes place with a sense of humour and friendship.

After lunch is quiet hour – a badly needed hiatus in the day with no music or talking. By three, people may choose to take part in a music appreciation class (this year I’ll drop in on the history of Christophe Graupner). Then I’ll be playing music with friends. Many people spend time at the lake – a must in this hot weather. It’s about 31C (almost 88F) here and more hot weather is predicted for most of the week.

Supper is followed by another class – either choir or an instrumental ensemble. Then each evening there is a different activity. Tonight it is dancing – not sure if the focus will be Renaissance dances or country dances. One year we had a power failure and the dance (accompanied by live music) took place by candlelight – so fitting for the era. After the evening activity there is another snack and then quiet by 11:00. Those who still have energy (I’m not sure how) congregate in one of the basement rooms and play quiet games like scrabble.

It may sound exhausting, but for me it is also energizing – with new musical discoveries, a week by a lake and time for friendship.

I do apologize to my fellow bloggers. Between the heavy schedule and the very poor and unstable internet connection – I’m lucky if I post much less comment on other people’s photos and writing. It will be that kind of summer with the adventures I have planned.

July 4/10: Lake Macdonald

July 4/10: Lake Macdonald, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Even the sight of a lake makes me feel cooler. The summer heat has even reached cottage country. Loading my car and then unloading the many bags of clothing, instruments, music, computer, cameras.... was like going on a major trek - no porters available.

But now I have my room, with the air circulating with the help of a large fan and with the work of putting things away finished, I am practising the art of slow motion.

There is something about CAMMAC - each time I turn off the highway (a secondary road) onto the road that leads to CAMMAC I can feel my stress dissipate. So for a week young children to seniors, English speakers and French speakers live together to make music and enjoy what the countryside has to offer. We have registered for our classes - tomorrow we begin in earnest.