As another successful summer season comes to a close, I’d like to share a few highlights from the year, recognize the people whose efforts made it possible, and provide an update on several important initiatives shaping CAMMAC’s future.
– David Stitt, President – CAMMAC Board of Directors
SUMMER MUSIC RETREATS
The CAMMAC Music Centre’s 8 weeks of summer retreat programming welcomed 828 participants, surpassing last year’s attendance of 810 participants by just over 2%.
None of that would have been possible without the leadership, dedication, and downright hard work of two groups of people:
- Cynthia Bonenfant, our Executive Director, along with our year-round and seasonal staff, who manage registration and coordination and work tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare and maintain the Music Centre; and
- Guylaine Lemaire, our Artistic Director, along with her team of teachers and monitors, for the wide-ranging and high-quality courses offered each week.
Thank you to all of you!
MUSICAL SUNDAYS CONCERTS
This past summer, CAMMAC presented eight performances by a lineup of exceptional professional musicians, with an optional brunch offered after each concert.
The series was a strong artistic success, although attendance fell short of expectations. The Board of Directors will review the series and explore ways to increase audiences next year.
UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES
The summer also brought several unexpected challenges, all of which were met with resilience and determination by our team.
In Week 1, we lost our head chef. Under Cynthia’s leadership, the year-round and seasonal kitchen staff stepped up and continued providing meals for staff and participants throughout the summer.
In Week 4, an EF1 tornado struck the Harrington area during the President’s Cocktail event. Although a number of trees were lost and power was out for approximately 24 hours, damage at the Music Centre was limited. During that time, Cynthia and the staff did an amazing job ensuring that everyone remained safe and cared for, and Guylaine and the teachers kept programming going as planned. The kitchen team served more than 40 additional meals to campers unable to prepare their own food, and accommodations were found for everyone who could not remain in their tents.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2030
One of the highlights of my summer was the opportunity to meet and speak with participants and staff at the President’s Cocktail each Tuesday evening. For those who attended, some of the information that follows will be familiar. For those who were unable to join us, I am pleased to provide the following update.
This past spring, the Board of Directors approved a new Strategic Plan covering 2026 to 2030.
The plan is built around three key pillars:
- An exceptional participant experience
- An engaged benefactor experience
- An inspired workforce experience, including our teachers
Detailed objectives have been established for the early years of the plan, and individual initiatives will be announced as they are developed. Progress will be reviewed annually and reported to members at the Annual General Meeting.
LAKE HOUSE+ PROJECT
As many of you know, the Lake House building is quite old. What you may not know is exactly how old it is. Built in 1922, the Lake House is now 104 years old and definitely requires significant attention.
Earlier this year, the Infrastructure Committee completed an initial review to determine the project’s potential scope. The Board approved three options for further study:
- Major renovation of the current building while maintaining its current and historical uses (primarily for accommodation)
- Demolition of the current building and construction of a new one serving the same purposes
- Demolition of the current building and construction of a new building with expanded uses, potentially including more studios, a dedicated arts and crafts space, and an infirmary
Environmental considerations will be an important part of the design phase for all options.
All of the options are likely to include:
- More bathrooms
- A building that can be used year-round
- Upgrades to meet current health and safety standards and building codes
- Demolition of the Mozart and Attic buildings currently situated behind the Lake House
The next phase of the project will include:
- High-level designs for each option
- Renovation and construction cost estimates
- Estimates of operating and maintenance costs after completion of the project
- Estimates of operating revenue over a 12-month period
- Options for obtaining the funds needed for the project. We will pursue grants from both government and private companies, fundraising and possibly borrowing options.
75TH ANNIVERSARY DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECT
At the Annual General Meeting in April, we announced that the 75th Anniversary Committee had launched a documentary film project about CAMMAC.
Filming began during Week 1 of the summer music retreats, and continued during Weeks 4, 7, and 8. Additional filming will take place over Thanksgiving weekend this year and throughout next year’s programming.
The documentary will also include footage from regional activities and archival material reflecting CAMMAC’s history.
The film is scheduled to premiere during CAMMAC’s 75th anniversary celebrations in 2028, marking our 75th year of making music at CAMMAC. We plan to submit it to film festivals to help broaden awareness of the amazing organization that is CAMMAC and its wide variety of artistic offerings.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THANKSGIVING 2026
There is still time to register for the Thanksgiving Weekend Music Retreat – you can find out more about all the exciting activities planned for the weekend by clicking ↳ HERE.
I have attended this retreat many times in past years, and the combination of fall colours at the Music Centre, the outstanding music programming, and the spectacular banquet on Sunday evening always makes me look forward to this wonderful windup to our yearly programming. I am sure that this year will be no exception.
I would like to wish each and every one of you, including CAMMAC members, Music Centre staff and teachers, all the best for the remainder of 2026.