What does a typical week at CAMMAC look like?
What happens during a week at CAMMAC? What is it like? Here’s a glimpse of the atmosphere you’ll find and the schedule for a typical week that will serve as a guide for all musicians – children, teens or adults, whether you are 4 or 84!
Arriving on Sunday afternoon gives participants time to get settled in whether in a single or shared room or in a tent or other gear for the camping, as well as time to check out the grounds. There is joy in the air, you feel the excitement, you hear laughter, there are hugs as old friends meet up again … a warm welcome!
At 5 p.m., the children meet their teachers/activity leaders and receive their schedules. The bell at six o’clock announces dinner in the cafeteria – meanwhile, campers are preparing their own meals at their campsites. Then 7:30, time for the adults to head to the main hall where the teachers will help in making choices for classes taking registrations. If you have questions, worries, anxieties about the classes that you want to take during the week – this is the chance to get answers to all your concerns.
And then, the magic moment! All the participants get their scores for the first reading of the major choral piece that will be worked on throughout the week. The harmony of many voices singing together, the joy, the solidarity: this is often when you fall in love with CAMMAC for the first time. Before heading off to bed, there’s the chance to chat with other participants over fruit, cake and cookies – the evening snack. You need to be in good shape for the week!
From Monday to Saturday, you attend classes according to the schedule that you’ve made for yourself. Starting after breakfast, each class is 50 minutes long. Lunch at 1 p.m. is followed by a mandatory siesta or quiet hour – a precious break! The afternoon is devoted to some classes and activities. Take advantage of the time to relax, practice your instrument, go swimming or canoe on the lake.
The schedule for the children runs parallel to the adult’s program: classes in the morning and unstructured fun time in the afternoon.
Evenings are devoted to performances and productions: you can sing, play in the orchestra, dance (on Monday evenings – no experience needed!), attend concerts given by the teachers – all of whom are excellent musicians. Or you, yourself, can perform in the cabaret!
Saturday is the time when all the week’s work comes to fruition: concerts; piano, singing and small ensemble recitals. Not to mention the much-anticipated children’s concert! The concerts continue in the evening, some of the pieces that have been worked on during the week are performed by adults and teens in a celebratory atmosphere. You can feel the pride and joy of being on stage with fellow musicians.
On Sunday morning, it’s with a heavy heart that you pack up your suitcases. A concert featuring one or more renowned guest artist closes off the week, which you try to stretch even a bit more by staying for brunch. But the time for departure has finally arrived – participants leave promising to meet up again the following year!
Sunday 4 p.m.: check-in
Sunday evening: registration for classes for the week
Monday to Friday – typical schedule for adults and teens:
7h30 Breakfast
8h30 Morning concert & announcements
8h45 Classes – Period 1
9h45 Classes – Period 2
10h40 Break – Snack
11h05 Classes – Period 3
12h05 Classes – Period 4
13h00 Lunch
14h00 SIesta – Quiet time
15h00 Practice time / Free time
17h00 Sports for teens
18h00 Supper
19h00 Free time / Evening activities (cabaret, concert etc.)
22h00 Snack
23h00 Goodnight!
Saturday:
7h30 Breakfast
Morning classes
Concerts* in the afternoon and evening
Sunday:
8h00 Breakfast
9h00 Check-out
* Participants can take part voluntarily in the concerts if they choose to, with no obligation.
The schedule is subject to change and may vary from week to week.