Each week at CAMMAC has its own special theme, but the atmosphere and weekly schedule remain similar throughout the summer. Music is the highlight of each day, but don’t forget to take a few moments to appreciate the extraordinary beauty of CAMMAC’s natural environment… the lake, the forest and the fresh air will contribute greatly to your sense of well-being and relaxation during your stay.
The Lake House, with the Main Pavillion in the background
Arrival on Sunday evening:
Participants arrive in the afternoon on Sunday, allowing everyone to take some time to settle in. There’s a feeling of joy and excitement as returning participants greet each other with laughter and hugs. Everyone is greeted with a warm welcome.
At 5 p.m., the children meet their teachers and monitors, and receive their schedule. The 6 p.m. bell announces the supper in the cafeteria, while campers cook their own meals at their campsites. Then, at 7.30 p.m., the adults gather in Lucy Hall, where the teachers assist them in registering for their chosen classes for the week. If you have any questions or worries about the week ahead, you’ll find out everything you need to know at this meeting.
And then the magic moment arrives: participants receive the score for the first reading of the week’s choral work. That first moment of voices in harmony is joyful, and a sense of togetherness fills the hall: this is where you will first feel all the love and joy of CAMMAC. Before bed comes the evening snack, when you can choose from a selection of fruit, cakes and biscuits.
Classes and activities – from Monday to Friday:
From Monday to Saturday, a short wake-up concert starts the days early. For those who want to get moving in the mornings, there is yoga, swimming or kayaking across the lake. Coffee lovers can indulge in a latte, cappucino or espresso at the Tuck Shop. After breakfast, all participants gather in Lucy Hall for a concert and the announcements of the day. Classes begin shortly afterwards, with a morning snack break.
Lunch is at 1 p.m., followed by a mandatory siesta or silent hour: a well-deserved and necessary break! The afternoon is devoted to additional classes and activities. Relax, practice your instrument, swim or canoe on the lake.
The children’s schedule is similar to that of the adults, with classes in the morning and relaxing activities in the afternoon while parents sing or play in the orchestra. Activities for children include music classes (piano, violin, recorder, percussion, etc.), crafts, dance and sports.
For teens… the days are filled with fast-paced entertainment! They can follow the regular adult program, and there are some extra classes and activities designed especially for them.
Evenings are devoted to concerts and performances: you can sing, play in the orchestra, dance (no experience required), attend concerts given by the teachers, all excellent musicians. The cabaret evening offers you the chance to perform solo, or with other participants. Other activities may include game nights, campfires, jam sessions and more.
The weekend:
Saturday is the day when you show off what you’ve learned during the week… It’s time for concerts, piano recitals, singing and small ensembles to perform, along with the eagerly awaited children’s concert. Concerts continue in the evening, with additional performances taking on a party atmosphere as everyone feels the joy of being on stage with friends.
On Sunday morning, it is with a heavy heart that we pack our bags again. To stretch out the week just a little bit longer, you can take in one of the Sundays Music Festival concerts, which offers a programme of internationally renowned artists every week throughout the summer.
The concert is followed by a final meal enjoyed with friends on the lakeside terrace: CAMMAC’s famous brunch. The brunch marks the real departure of the participants, who leave each other with the promise to meet again next year!
Sunday 4 p.m.:
Check-in at the Music Centre
6 p.m.: Supper
Sunday evening: registration for classes and first reading of the choral work
Monday to Friday
Typical schedule for adults and teenagers:
7:00 a.m. Wake up
7:15 a.m. Yoga
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Concert / Vocal warm-up / Announcements
8:45 a.m. Class period 1
9:45 a.m. Class period 2
10:40 a.m. Morning snack
11.05 a.m. Period 3 class
12:05 p.m. Period 4 class
1:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. Silent time / Nap time
3:00 p.m. Class period 5 / Practice time / Free time
4:05 p.m. Class period 6 / Practice time / Free time
5:00 p.m. Yoga / Sports for teenagers
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Free time / Orchestra or choir / Children’s activities
9:00 p.m. Evening activity: concert / cabaret / campfire etc.
10:00 p.m. Evening snack
11:00 p.m. Curfew
Saturday – for all:
Classes in the morning
Concerts* in the afternoon and evening
Sunday – for all:
8.00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 a.m. Check-out
11:00 a.m. Sunday Music Concert
12:00 p.m. Brunch
2 p.m. See you next time!
Monday to Friday
Typical schedule for children 5-11 years old:
After the morning concert, the children are supervised by the monitors and teachers, until lunchtime
8:40 a.m. Classes: crafts, dance, Orff, choir, recorder
10:55 a.m. Snack break for the children
11:15 a.m. Lessons: piano, chamber music, recorder. Songs, games and swimming.
1:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. Silent hour / nap time
3:00 p.m. Family time (children are looked after by their parents)
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:10-8:35 p.m. Evening activities: sports, games, songs
* Participants take part in the concerts voluntarily, without obligation.
Schedule is subject to change without notice and may vary from week to week.
In this video, Shelley Kath describes a transformative experience at CAMMAC that helped her overcome her reluctance to sing in public, thanks to the encouragement of other members and the guidance of teacher François Ouimet.
Other activities:
You can play tennis, swim, relax on the beach, go boating and take walks in the nearby forest. There is also ping pong table in the basement. Kids and teens gather in the Bartok studio when there are no classes, for games, to read, or just to hang out.
Bilingualism at CAMMAC:
CAMMAC’s founders believed that exposing people to a bilingual environment helps to build bridges between our cultures. To fulfill this vision, activities at CAMMAC always take place in both languages.
If you don’t speak French well, don’t worry, communications are in both languages and most of our teachers are bilingual. If you speak some French, this is a great opportunity to practice. If you are learning it, this is a wonderful way to make progress.
Click on each video below to discover what you’ll experience at CAMMAC 🎶
A Day at CAMMAC
A look at some of the activities you will experience on a typical day at CAMMAC.
Feel the spirit of CAMMAC!
Discover how the joyful spirit of music fills every moment of a day at CAMMAC.
A quiet morning on Lake MacDonald:
kayaking, swimming and yoga.
Each week of the summer at CAMMAC Music Centre has its own theme and offers a variety of musical styles and activities. Here is an overview of some of the activities for each week:
WEEK 2: EARLY MUSIC
WEEK 3: CHAMBER MUSIC
WEEK 3: MORNING CELLO CONCERT
WEEK 3: SATURDAY MORNING WAKEUP
WEEK 4: CELTIC MUSIC
WEEK 5: JAZZ JAM
WEEK 5: PERCUSSION
WEEK 5: WINDS AND JAZZ
WEEK 7: BLUES GUITAR
SEMAINE 7: BROADWAY
WEEK 6: CHORAL MUSIC AND CLASSICAL GUITAR
A tribute to CAMMAC from Québec entertainer Gregory Charles.
A Testimonial from Vincent Lauzer, CAMMAC teacher – why he loves CAMMAC!
Yves Marcoux, a long-time CAMMAC member, describes about what CAMMAC means to him.
A tribute to CAMMAC by long-time member, Harry Qualman.
A testimonial from CAMMAC member Nicole Farmer, who talks about how she came to know CAMMAC, and why she returns every year.
