Working life

Music camp in Maine

By Masako Yamada

A few months ago, I realized that I had no summer vacation plans. I was definitely due for a break, but I didn't know what I wanted to do. Last summer, I visited my boyfriend in India, but I didn't feel like doing the same this year. I wanted something more relaxing, something more for myself.

音楽合宿参加者が催したコンサート。大人の音楽愛好家と若いセミプロとの交流が、この合宿最大の魅力だ

I briefly thought about going to a yoga retreat. There is a well-known yoga center close to where I live. A week-long program would've helped clear my mind and find physical and mental balance, but it wouldn't necessarily have been fun. In the spirit of self-reflection, the meals would have been taken in complete silence. Also, in spite of the spare meals and accommodation, such programs are not cheap. I wasn't prepared to pay a lot of money for such an austere experience.

I knew my perfect vacation would be to immerse myself in music. The thought of pounding a piano in an isolated room all day did not appeal to me, but practicing chamber music did. In the past, I had gone to two such summer programs in Boston, and I figured I was ready to step up to a "sleep-away" version.

Kneisel Hall のキャンパスで談笑する講師と合宿参加者たち

Once the idea took hold, I became immersed in the logistics. Summer music camps spanning months are common for children and pre-professional musicians, but they are not so common for amateur musicians who can only spare a week of vacation time. Moreover, my inspiration had come so late that I had already missed the deadlines of many programs, not to mention that I didn't have an audition tape so I could only apply to camps with "open admissions." Given the extraordinary teachers I've had in the past, I'd be disappointed with a faculty that was less than stellar. And, of course, I wanted to be able to play with exceptional peers, too.

I don't know how I chanced upon Kneisel Hall, but that is where I decided to go. The institute is located in a part of Maine near Acadia National Park, and I thought it would be a great way to immerse myself in a beautiful natural environment while enjoying music-making. One of the things that particularly caught my eye is that the piano coach at Kneisel Hall is a "musical aunt" of mine, since both she and my teacher in Boston studied under Menahem Pressler. Just knowing that helped me solidify my choice. Happily, the other faculty members were also wonderful educators. Two of the coaches were over 80 years old and still very sharp. This was truly inspiring.

Also inspiring were the young pre-professional musicians who shared the campus with us. One of the selling points of this program is that adult amateurs can interact with the youngsters. Sometimes, the young musicians performed with the adults. Sometimes, they served as coaches. Not so long ago, I was just as young as they are, but I never had their passion, commitment and talent. Some of this energy reached my soul.

I was inspired by my fellow amateur musicians as well. We shared our meals around picnic tables with benches and I was happy that they were not the silent meals of the yoga camp. Where else could one hold a conversation with a doctor, dentist, cattle farmer, physics professor, chemistry professor, literature professor, international environmental lawyer, and clothing store owner? Where else could strangers from 20 to 90 merrily hold a conversation about violins? Several participants had music degrees and taught music to children. Some had children who are professional musicians. Most had loved music for decades.

It amazes me to think that after a dream-like week, we're back to leading our real lives, quite far from Maine. Things have been incredibly busy at work since I returned, but some of the excitement of the camp still remains. I've signed up as a member of a national amateur chamber music organization. I've written to several people in the area inquiring about performing in small ensembles. It was one of the best vacations I've ever had. I'd definitely participate again.

Shukan ST: Oct. 1, 2004

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