Thanksgiving weekend is a chance to step away from the usual routine and make time for the things that matter: music, nature, good food and time with the people you enjoy.
From October 9 to 12, CAMMAC’s Thanksgiving Music Retreat brings all of this together in the Laurentians, with a full weekend of music, creative activities, outdoor pursuits and festive celebrations. Here are five reasons to make CAMMAC part of your Thanksgiving plans.
1. The opportunity to learn and make music with professional musicians and excellent teachers.
Music is at the heart of the Thanksgiving weekend. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or are simply looking to develop your musical skills, there are opportunities to learn, play and perform throughout the retreat.
The choral program, led by guest conductor Mélodie Rabatel, features a varied repertoire inspired by the beauty of autumn and the natural world, including works by K.A. Memley, John Rutter, Ola Gjeilo and Astor Piazzolla. Several pieces will be performed with instrumental accompaniment.
Instrumentalists can choose from recorder sessions led by Francis Colpron, founder and artistic director of Les Boréades de Montréal; instrumental ensemble; informal chamber music for winds, strings and piano; and Jazz Combos+, which explores jazz alongside a variety of popular styles.
Additional workshops in guitar, blues guitar and percussion, as well as active listening, offer still more ways to develop your musical interests. And for those who simply want to sing for the pleasure of it, there will be songs around the campfire and plenty of opportunities to make music informally throughout the weekend.
2. There are plenty of activities to choose from.
A CAMMAC retreat gives you the opportunity to pursue different interests throughout the weekend, with activities designed for children, teens and adults. Musical programs welcome amateur musicians of all levels, offering a supportive and approachable experience for beginners while providing enough depth and challenge to engage those with years of experience.
The musical choices include choir, recorder, jazz combos, informal chamber music, instrumental ensemble, guitar and blues guitar, percussion and active listening. Beyond music, there are dance and capoeira, visual arts, nature workshops, yoga and mindfulness.
Children have their own comprehensive program, with choir, dance, recorder, percussion, visual arts, nature activities, sports, games and outdoor play.
You can spend the weekend focused on your instrument, try something completely different, or move between music, creative activities and time outdoors. The range of programs means that everyone can find something that suits them.
3. Get away to the Laurentians for a weekend in nature.
At Thanksgiving, the Laurentians are at their autumn best. CAMMAC’s setting on Lake MacDonald provides a natural backdrop for a weekend that combines music with time outdoors and a welcome change of pace.
Join a guided forest walk with nature educator Muriel Bontemps to learn about local flora, or take part in a group hike to the summit of Mont-Chauve for a different perspective on the surrounding landscape.
If the weather is still warm and sunny, you can make the most of Lake MacDonald, too, with time at the beach, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
There are quieter ways to unwind, too. Yoga and mindfulness sessions with Brendalee Wilson offer time to slow down, while the forest, lake and trails provide plenty of opportunities to simply get outside between activities.
4. Celebrate Thanksgiving with music, food and an evening of entertainment.
A weekend at CAMMAC is a fun and relaxing way to celebrate the holiday: good food, live music, dancing and entertainment, with someone else taking care of the cooking, serving and dishes. Sunday evening brings all of this together in one festive celebration, beginning with a cocktail-hour concert and continuing through dinner and an evening of dancing.
The cocktail-hour concert features Mélodie Rabatel and pianist Chad Linsley. Their program pays tribute to French singer-songwriter Claude Nougaro, whose music brings together chanson, poetry, jazz, Latin music, bossa nova and tango.
The concert is followed by a five-course Thanksgiving banquet in Lucy Hall, with an appetizer, soup, salad, main course and dessert. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly options are available with advance notice.
An evening of dance and entertainment follows the banquet: members of Radiotango will give a tango demonstration before inviting guests to try a few steps themselves. Those who already dance tango can take to the floor, too.
5. Make it a family weekend, or come with friends or on your own.
Thanksgiving has long been a family tradition at CAMMAC, and the retreat is well suited to a multigenerational getaway. Children, parents and grandparents can all take part in activities suited to their interests and abilities, while also finding opportunities to do things together.
But you don’t need to come with a family to enjoy Thanksgiving at CAMMAC. Friends can plan a musical weekend together, or you can come on your own and enjoy the weekend alongside other participants.