George Little directing the orchestra at CAMMAC, c. 1965

1953-2023

CANADIAN AMATEUR MUSICIANS
MUSICIENS AMATEURS DU CANADA

70 years of making music!

Seventy years ago, George and Carl Little conceived the idea of establishing a music center for amateur musicians in the Laurentians.

Otter Lake Lodge, c. 1953

The original Main Pavilion at Lake MacDonald

Their vision was to create a place where people could come to have fun making music while forging meaningful connections with others who shared their passion.

In 1953, with the support of their spouses, Frances and Madeleine, their dream became a reality with the founding of the Otter Lake Music Centre and Festivals Inc. / Centre Musical et Festivals du Lac à la Loutre Inc., near Huberdeau. This marked the beginning of what would eventually become CAMMAC (Canadian Amateur Musicians, Musiciens Amateurs du Canada).

Today, CAMMAC thrives as a vibrant organization, steadfast in its commitment to the Little’s original vision: to create opportunities for people of all ages to experience the joy of making music together in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment.

Over the years, CAMMAC’s summer music camps, concerts, and activities have ignited and nurtured a love for music in thousands of musicians of all ages. Numerous well-known professional musicians fondly recall their childhood memories of weeks spent at CAMMAC’s summer camp in the Laurentians, and many of these now return each year to teach.

For many families, attending summer camp at CAMMAC has been a cherished tradition passed down through three, and now four generations. Each summer lasting, lifelong friendships are formed, and romances too!

Here is a preview of some of the activities coming up this summer at the CAMMAC Music Centre:

🎶 Week 1: Celebration-themed repertoire for the choir and orchestra, selected with the participation and input of CAMMAC members.
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🎶 Week 2: The ephemeral magic of the forest spirits comes to CAMMAC, with an elaborate production of excerpts from Purcell’s Fairy Queen. Participants will join forces in staging a theatrical fantasy for choir, orchestra, singers, and dancers. 
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🎶 Week 3: CAMMAC welcomes internationally-acclaimed British choral conductor John Rutter, one of the most-often-performed living composers, for one of his popular “Singing Day” workshops. The repertoire will include his Magnificat, as well as a selection of his choral works. Presented in partnership with the Music and Beyond Festival.
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🎶 Week 4: An elaborate production comprised of excerpts from Haydn’s grand oratorio, The Creation, directed by Julien Proulx.
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🎶 Week 6: Music and stargazing at CAMMAC including daytime activities for children and evening activities for all with observation of the night sky through various telescopes, led by Trevor Kjorlien of Plateau Astro.
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🎶 Week 7: A nature activity class for children with Muriel Bontemps in which they will have the chance to learn and connect with nature through songs, games, and survival activities inspired by Coyote Programs.
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🎶 Week 8: A focus on the benefits of relaxation, well-being, and CAMMAC’s beautiful natural environment. Participants will be encouraged to fully engage with their senses and surroundings. Activities will include Tai Chi with Jean-Hubert Gagnon from Comme les nuages, along with mindful walking meditation and forest bathing with Dr. Moire Stevenson. To cap off CAMMAC’s 70th summer celebrations, participants will join together in performing a Ghanaian Gahu, led by Kathy Armstrong. A recreational and social tradition of the Ewe tribe, a Gahu is a joyful circle of dance and song which combines stick drumming in the middle.
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🎶 In addition, several Ukrainian families will be sponsored to attend a week at CAMMAC this summer. We will also bring back some favourite CAMMAC traditions, including Jan Simons’ silent baseball games during Quiet Hour, arts & crafts projects inspired by Scotty Simons, and evening singalongs accompanied by piano with repertoire taken from Les petits cahiers Chansons du Québec et Chansons du Canada.

Plus…

🎶 A concert performed on May 18th by the CAMMAC Symphony Orchestra was dedicated to CAMMAC’s 70th Anniversary.

🎶 Musical Sundays Concert Series: 8 summer concerts at the CAMMAC Music Centre. A portion of the proceeds from Marc Hervieux’s concert on July 2 will be donated to the CAMMAC Bursary Fund.

🎶 Release of the Hymne à CAMMAC video. Music and words by Mélodie Rabatel; performed by Mélodie Rabatel accompanied by CAMMAC members and teachers; video editing by Kevin O’Neal (coming soon).

🎶 Danken, Loben! Give thanks, Give Grace! A musical celebration of CAMMAC’s 70^th anniversary will take place during Thanksgiving weekend. The repertoire for the weekend will honour CAMMAC’s founders’ love for the music of J.S. Bach, with his Christmas Oratorio and several cantatas, a Bach sing-along followed by a concert given by the weekend’s teachers, and more. A grand banquet and Baroque ball will be held, under the direction of Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière. More to come!

🎶 A Digital Road to CAMMAC: Musical Postcards: to be released at the end of 2023.