Snow Pond Center for the Arts - Summer Concert Series

Band Camp for Adults!
New England Adult Music Camp in a noncompetitive,
safe environment, where “your best is
good enough!”
The Snow Pond center for the Arts offers a weeklong
music camp experience for those who play band
instruments -- you know the flute, clarinet, trumpet,
percussion, kind of band. This unique camp is a
chance to immerse yourself in music for a week by
making music, talking about music, learning about
music, making new friends, and enjoying a wonderful
camp experience with other adults.
You may ask, “I’m just coming back to my
instrument after a 55 year hiatus, will I be good
enough?” The answer is yes! Two distinct band
options provide the best opportunity for every level of
player, from the novice learner to the more advanced.
The goal is to learn and enjoy making music in a fun,
supportive and challenging atmosphere. We welcome
campers who are relatively new to their instrument
(what are those little black marks on the paper?) to
our NEMC alumni or Community Band members
who are well versed on their instruments. You will
also find that many of our campers also play in New
Horizons Bands in their hometown.
In August of 2014, the New England Adult Band
Camp hosted 120 campers who ranged in age from 30
somethings to 91. The camper s participated; in band
rehearsals, small ensembles, workshops and music
seminars. They played jazz, met new friends, learned
more about music and many rediscovered the joy of
playing an instrument. Music is one of those activities
in which anyone can take part, no matter what your
age or ability. Whatever level you are, you can play
music that you love and you can enjoy playing and
learning with others.
Aside from the sheer joy of making music,
playing an instrument has many benefits. If you play
a wind instrument, it improves your lung capacitygetting
more oxygen to your brain, heart and muscles.
Talk about giving your brain a work out! While you
are playing your synapses are firing away: where do
I put my fingers, how long do I hold the note, should
it be loud or soft or changing, am I in tune with
the person next to me, is my tone nice, is the note
accented, is this the correct rhythm, am I playing in
the right style, and so on. Talk about multi-tasking! In
fact, current research shows that playing music helps
the brain interconnect frequently used areas (Medical
News Today - How Music Benefits the Brain).
The Snow Pond Center for the Arts 2015 Adult
Camp will be held from August 23-29. Campers will
once again share the beauty of music and friendship
at our picturesque lakeside campus. To learn more
about registration availability and the details of
lodging, meals and our social hours at sunset visit
www.adultmusiccamp.com.
. . . . Diane Muffitt
. . .. . Program Director
Snow Pond’s New England Adult Music Camp
has become the highlight of our year since we
attended the first week-long session in August,
2013, my husband as a non-student, me as an
intermediate clarinet player. We couldn’t have
been happier with everything about it – the
beautiful setting, the extraordinary facilities,
the caring attention and flexibility of the
camp’s staff, the excellent and dedicated faculty,
the programming, the sound of loons at night,
the food variety each day, the camaraderie and
support of our fellow campers. I still pinch
myself when I realize that finally now, at the
age of 66, I have the same opportunity and
experience young kids have been getting at this
special place for so many years. Thank you for
expanding your summer schedule to welcome
adult students to Snow Pond!
Gail Berneike
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