2008 Camps and Workshops
Testimonials
Here are some things people have written us after their camp session. Thanks to everyone who shared their impressions and thoughts with us!
• Going to the Oregon summer camp was a life-changing experience for me… those ten days turned out to be an opportunity to let go of my roles (as a mom/wife/daughter/sister/manager)… As each day went by I started to remember my interests and passions from childhood, which had been put on the back burner for many years. It was really satisfying to sing for so many hours a day with other people who were equally engaged, and to experience the struggle and satisfaction of learning each song and each dance. The beautiful setting by the McKenzie River and the rhythm of each day of dancing, singing, eating, cleaning, resting, socializing and singing again was very restorative and joyful.
• Well, you have done it again—opened up a new world of music and culture for our daughter. She had a wonderful time in Bulgaria, and has come back dedicated to music—singing, playing piano, accordion, and guitar—and also to travel… Since she now has the travel bug and since Village Harmony has been so good for her, we have already told her she can go on the trip to Europe next year. She wants to go from that trip to another, as some of the Bulgaria participants did when they went on to Georgia; and we will probably allow her to go for that as well. But even more importantly, she re-discovered that music simply must play a major role in her life. She had so much fun sitting around singing and playing instruments. This is an aspect of life that she would not have experienced here in our suburban locale, and we are very glad that she has made this discovery.
• My daughter recently participated in the week long camp in Colrain with your very gifted instructors… I must tell you what an amazing and transformative experience she had there. She was initially very homesick... it was her first overnight camp experience. I spoke to Bekki at the Roundhouse about the situation, and she gave Meredith the love and attention she needed to get on her feet and make the most of her time there...what a great lady! She really helped my daughter so much… I was able to see all the performances and the music was just incredible. I couldn't believe how much they learned. The camaraderie and affection this wonderful group of young people had for one another was evident. Their shared love of music shone through for all who were lucky enough to hear them! My daughter bonded with this group in a way that I have never seen with her before...what a gift. She is already looking forward to next year's camp and our youngest daughter is wanting to do it when she gets older, too! We look forward to our families continued involvement with your organization.
• I met you after the exuberant concert at Hubbard Hall Tuesday night. All the elements that make life meaningful where present for me. Young people's potential and spirit, music, voice, movement, understanding of the rhythm that connects us all, great facilitators who impart their experience, talent and wisdom of their art in a way that opens and cultivates excellence in the young. I recognize this and relate to it. Thank you for bringing this to Hubbard Hall. I traveled an hour from just east of Albany to come because I saw this advertised last year and knew that it is something close to what makes me feel joy in authenticity.
• When I got home Sunday night after the last adult camp concert, I could hardly believe how happy I felt. I can’t remember when I felt so good! Amazing, amazing, amazing!
• I’m still traveling under the glow of that wonderful week—still finding the need to sing low and loud come over me.
• Thank you as always for providing L. with yet another wonderful opportunity. As I watched the Renewal Chorus [VH alumni group] I was struck even more than ever before by the extent of the impact VH has had on so many people all over the world and specifically for us… The continuing bond among high school/VH friends, their ability to discipline themselves and wholeheartedly commit themselves to a shared and extremely challenging project in a spirit of cooperation and joy is something they all learned from their VH experiences (though if you don’t mind, we’d like to take a tiny bit of the credit if only for having the wisdom to encourage them to participate).
• The influence your work has on helping people of all kinds meet, learn about one another, resolve their differences and become one through the joy of singing cannot be overstated. The ripple effect on all involved—participants and audiences alike—is profound and gives us great hop for the possibilities for worldwide peace. Meeting person to person and singing together works in a way nothing else does. So thank you for creating and nurturing this international community of which our family has been so blessed to be part.
• I had such an incredible blast singing with the World Music Chorus for the first time last Wednesday, and I want to thank you both for your commitment and enthusiasm for this group! After years of singing -- on my own, in various duos, bands, choirs, and choruses -- I feel like I have finally found my musical home, and it just feels great. Wonderful people, wonderful singers, wonderful leaders, wonderful music. I'm very grateful and hope to be part of the group for a long, long time.
• First of all, I want to thank you so much for the CDs. I've never
heard myself on a recording before, much less singing such gorgeous music.
I can't describe what listening to them brings back for me; it's truly one
of the greatest gifts I've received in a long time. It's so much fun to hear
us again in all our quirky glory, and sounding so very beautiful.
Thank you so, so much.
• Just want to say THANK YOU for a great singing experience this weekend. It was fun, expanding, affirming, and I hope only the first of more Village Harmony experiences for me. I tend to be a "printed page" singer most of the time and it was great to get out of that and connect with each other. Now I have to find more ways to do so. And what a great group of folks! I've already told my husband that we need to find a way to do Corsica in June '08- he has always wanted to go there and he has a nice tenor voice that he doesn't use much, so if I can get him hooked on this stuff we will have a nice little quartet up here... we'll see!
• I wanted to thank you for an engaging and rewarding singing weekend - for someone who is not surrounded by multiple voices belting out harmonies on a regular basis, it was thrilling.
• Congratulations on coming to South Africa—spending a week rehearsing and giving such a brillian performance last evening at the church in Pietermaritzburg. Your choir was absolutely magnificent and refreshing!!! Both my friend and I were overwhelmed and enjoyed every minute of the concert. She is a musi teacher and taught both my daughters… In fact we were speechless after the concert… I want to applaud you both for your positive energy… and your infectious enthusiasm for creating such amazing sounds and music, for traveling across the world and for sharing and giving so unselfishly of your talent, your skills but more importantly for bringing together so many folk from different traditions, different ages and different walks of life!