What Campers say about Midsummer Musical Retreat

Here are a few comments from MMR "Campers."

“ I would rate this higher than excellent. A wonderful experience all around. The director’s musical skills are unparalleled. I learned a lot.” --Veteran camper

 

“Rehearsals led to a great performance experience. The music continues to walk through my mind now that I am home. Thank you for making this possible.” – 3rd year camper

 

“Our conductor was a delight. I learned so much in such a short space of time. Loved the repertoire. Section work helped immensely to learn my part.” – First-year camper

 

“The expertise I was privileged to hear in the faculty performance was indeed like admiring precious jewels.” Veterancamper

 

“My goal is to learn more and to cherish the experience of learning and changing. Whether or not I actually join a better group is not really the issue...the issue is what is going on to get there and, well, ups and downs, that's what this is all about.” Veteran camper

 

From the MMR Survey  2019

  • · It was the most exhilarating and exhausting musical experience of my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I felt completely immersed in music with the most wonderful participants and coaches. I felt like it fed my soul and was very healing.
  • · This has been the most rewarding, supportive, helpful, enjoyable, friendly, and encouraging musical session I have attended. I now know what I need to improve, and I will dthose damn scales.
  • This camp is a financial stretch for me, but I find it well worth it. I look forward to it all year. Because of the diversity in people's interests and abilities, there are always some aspects that require a lot of patience and some adjustment of my own performance standards, but that's part of what makes it interesting. I always feel that the Faculty Concert alone is worth the price of the entire week. We get to hear amazing performances of music we would never encounter anywhere else. 

  •  What?! Not come and get left out of all the fun 

  • I love it. This was my 22nd year. 

  • Not only is it very satisfying and fun, but it provides motivation and inspiration for the rest of the year. 

  • I've been attending for years now and I learn something new every year. A very supportive and high quality faculty make all the difference! 

  • It's the highlight of my musical year, and one of my favorite social experiences. 

  • I attend every year for so many things - renewing friendships I've made over the years, the great staff and faculty, the challenging but rewarding music, and the wonderful performances. 

  • It meets my goals and aspirations - concert band in the morning and jazz in the afternoon. 

  • Our section leader was positive and uplifting and has a beautiful voice she used well to demonstrate certain techniques or phrasing. Would love to work with her again.
  • III cannot praise our coach enough. His gentle, non-judgmental approach put me at ease from the very start of the first session. He helped me play at a much higher level than if I had tried practicing the pieces on my own.
  • I really appreciated our section coach. She was observant & sensitive & thoughtful and provided lots of support and information during rehearsals and sectionals. She was good at figuring out what we needed as individuals and as a group.
  • My coach is terrific--very supportive and enthusiastic. She has an easy-going manner, which helps to diffuse newbie-player anxiety.
  • My coach was great with campers of all levels. He was very supportive, gave great tips and tricks and made time together fun.
  • Our coach was great! Lot of very useful information was delivered that really made a difference in the quality of my playing within just a few days! It was nice to have new, fresh enthusiasm and passion, too.
  • I had a blast even though I didn't know anyone or the camp routine to begin with. I gained skills, improved musicality, and met like-minded musicians. The atmosphere was non-stressful and supportive. Now I know people, and I can talk it up among fellow musicians in Portland, so I can look forward to more fun next year
  • The sectionals were fun, very informative and very productive. The ideal sectional experience.
  • I can't say enough good things about our teacher and what she shared with us. I've been playing for many years yet learned so many new things that I will incorporate into my playing. I have recommended this course to all my violin friends. Most excellent!!
  • I really liked how our director challenged us to think about the music rather than just telling us what to do. Positive reinforcement, enthusiasm for the music were great tools she used. VERY satisfying experience.
  • I always appreciate that our section leader gives us some overall tips about bowing and playing. We got to all the trouble spots and when we couldn't do something he helped us manage.