{"id":53574,"date":"2018-05-10T09:36:52","date_gmt":"2018-05-10T13:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=53574"},"modified":"2018-05-15T08:32:54","modified_gmt":"2018-05-15T12:32:54","slug":"whos-who-how-a-music-camp-in-the-kawarthas-became-a-premiere-summer-destination-for-music-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2018\/05\/10\/whos-who-how-a-music-camp-in-the-kawarthas-became-a-premiere-summer-destination-for-music-lovers\/","title":{"rendered":"WHO’S WHO | How A Music Camp In The Kawarthas Became A Premiere Summer Destination For Music Lovers"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Established
Established in 1977, the Lake Field Music Camp in the Kawarthas has become a go-to for adult music-lovers looking for an informal retreat to just play, sing, and be inspired by music.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadia Ishoop loved playing the violin at school and more recently in a community orchestra. After three years at Lake Field Music Camp<\/a>, her interest has been invigorated by branching out from the classical music she learned originally. \u201cLast summer I enjoyed taking the Celtic Fiddling class. I\u2019d certainly heard Celtic music before, but had no idea how to play it,\u201d says Ishoop. \u201cI also took the \u2018Balfolk\u2019 class, where I learned European Folk Music and dancing. We found out the story behind each song, such as one about making a foundation for a home by stomping on dirt, and then we tried the dance that went along with it. Half the class played while the other half danced, then we switched \u2014 it was so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a week every August, adult amateur singers and instrumentalists of all ages and occupations gather to learn, play and perform with each other at Lake Field Music Camp. Established in 1977, this non-profit organization currently resides at Lakefield College School in the Kawarthas, about 150 km northeast of Toronto, Ontario. The lakeside campus offers excellent facilities, including full accommodations and a performance theatre. The faculty are all professionals, working as conductors, soloists, teachers, studio musicians, and as members of bands and choirs, most returning year after year because of the intensity of the experience.<\/p>\n

Saskia Tomkins, a session musician and viola teacher, performs all over the world and says that she likes the energy and communication that develops in the classes. She has taught Viola Technique, Rhythm and Reading Music, Gypsy Jazz, and led Balfolk and Klezmer groups at the camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor many students who learned to play classical music, if you take the music away they\u2019re lost. Gypsy Jazz is an opportunity to play what you like according to what you hear, to step away from reading the music,\u201d says Tomkins. \u201cOn the first day, the students were like frightened rabbits, but by Day 3 they were getting it and were much more free in their playing \u2014 they were learning to think outside the box and use a different part of their brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrew Wolf, LFM Camp President, says \u201cMany of our participants are involved in community orchestras, bands and choirs throughout the year. Camp provides the opportunity to have a broader musical experience with more than 50 different workshops and ensembles of various sizes and genres including classical, jazz and world music. No auditions are required to attend, but musical skills are certainly necessary \u2014 it\u2019s an enlightening and inspiring week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Play and Sing Together\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Teachers share knowledge on how to improve your music making. At camp, cellist Sybil Shanahan taught Cello Technique and coached a Chamber Group and a Cello Choir where music was read from the page. However, in her workshop, Jamming on an Orchestral Instrument, participants listened to recordings of pop, classical and jazz to demonstrate how harmony enhances music in every style, followed by exercises where they created and played simple harmonies of their own based on familiar melodies.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really enjoy teaching adults as they want to understand on my level,\u201d says Shanahan, who plays in chamber, jazz and orchestral groups. \u201cI love the environment at LFM as there is a lot of cross-over of music and instruments, and participants are open to trying everything from jazz and classical to pop.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participants also learn from each other in the classes. The non-competitive environment encourages them to ask questions and take chances in their playing. Coached ensembles perform to a supportive audience in concerts at the end of the week, showcasing some of the week\u2019s accomplishments. For those wanting more opportunities to be on stage, open mic and cabaret concerts take place early in the week, and the mid-week faculty concert is always a treat. The classes and performances give participants helpful tools and experiences for their independent practice and group playing when they return home.<\/p>\n

Improving Skills, Exploring Genres<\/h3>\n

Joanne Wilby played the cello in high school and came back to it after a 25-year hiatus. \u201cLast year was my first time at the camp, and I enjoyed learning about the different musical genres,\u201d she says. \u201cSometimes I get lost and it\u2019s a struggle for me to hear things and learn the chording, and to add in things that are not exactly what\u2019s written on the page. It takes time, but the teachers are very patient. And my playing is becoming freer as a result, with classes such as Balfolk. The rhythm class is like brain gym – we have to sing, clap and tap our feet at the same time!\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen Prime, an experienced chamber music player that performs in nursing homes and hospices, wanted to experience new musical styles. In his second year at the camp, he joined the Latin American Music Ensemble and the Blues Band. \u201cI had fun learning the structure of the blues and jazz with teachers Paul Neufeld and Louis Sim\u00e3o,\u201d says Prime. \u201cThe teachers arrange parts for everyone and we improvise, which is frightening, but fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Violinist Alex Cheung taught Violin Technique, Celtic Fiddling, Chamber Music, and conducted the Strings Ensemble at the camp. Classically trained, he \u201cwandered\u201d into other genres about fifteen years ago. \u201cWhile playing and teaching Celtic music, I\u2019m adding ornamentation and different bowing techniques,\u201d Cheung says. \u201cThe students at camp are so open to learning different styles and techniques such as adding embellishments and looking at pieces they\u2019ve never played before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cheung says while teaching adults and hearing their questions, he is sometimes pushed to shift his thinking and look at things in a different way. \u201cI love to see the sparkle in students\u2019 eyes when they\u2019ve learned new tricks to communicate with each other and to see their joy when they get something.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the end of the week, the Celtic Fiddling and Balfolk classes presented their songs in a rousing performance that had dozens of audience members joining them in dance. Sadia Ishoop also enjoyed participating in the orchestra, but says, \u201cI\u2019ve come to realize that music is not just stiff people in tuxes performing on a stage. Ishoop says \u201cLake Field Music Camp is like summer camp for adults. It\u2019s such an encouraging environment, and the teachers are so accepting of whatever level you\u2019re at. I\u2019m so happy to be back, continuing to pursue my passion for music.\u201d<\/p>\n

The next camp takes place from August 12 to 19, 2018. To find out more, please visit www.lakefieldmusic.ca, <\/a>email info@lakefieldmusic.ca <\/a>or call 647-692-3463.<\/p>\n

Text by\u00a0Joanne Culley.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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