Teachers and performers who really make the world a better
place are a rare breed, and Jo Ann Simpson is one of these people.
A fine professional bassoonist, she is an exceptional
individual who actively, calmly, and insightfully nurtures the talents of young
players and those of the many
professionals she invites to her camp.
For those bassoonists who attend, from beginner to worldly
professional, it’s a rare glimpse into a totally successful life as a musician,
bassoonist and teacher, far from the support systems of traditional orchestras
and university positions.
I receive many requests each year from different music camps
and universities, all wanting me to promote their schools to my students. I forward some of the links but usually feel
a bit weird about it. As a performer and teacher myself, I tend to be familiar
with places that have included me in some capacity, which means that there are
many that I don’t know anything about.
But I know something about Brooke Valley Bassoon Days, and this is the
one that I would recommend first.
When I taught and performed there in 2014, I saw a camp that
allowed easy interaction between students and teachers, one that was
professional, structured and musically disciplined with lessons, rehearsals and
concerts, but also respected the whole person by offering yoga classes,
recreation time, collective meals, and reed-making events.
As a teacher and performer, I had the opportunity to teach
and to play exactly the repertoire I wanted, plus do a workshop that
incorporated discovery and experimentation for both the students and me.
The country setting kept everything in close connection to
the natural world, and there was a sense of familial safety; rooms were
identified by the names of great bassoon performers, thus directing our
thoughts to players beyond the borders of our experience, and reminding us that
we are part of a larger community of bassoonists. Members of the class were encouraged to
perform, participate, talk, swim, and exercise… to live life to the full, while
at the same time being encouraged to care for each other. At least, that is how it seemed to me.
The whole atmosphere breathed of resourcefulness, of a life
fully lived in music, with discipline and open-mindedness. Jo Ann runs Brooke Valley Bassoon Days in
collaboration with my former orchestra colleague and dear friend, Richard Hoenich. A genuinely gifted musician, conductor and wonderful former principal bassoonist of the Montreal
Symphony, Richard brings wisdom and truly beautiful musicianship to the camp. Each season, they invite
other guest professional bassoonists, along with bassoon makers and repairmen, to widen
everyone’s horizons.
This season’s
featured teacher and performer Christopher Millard, beloved principal
bassoonist of NACO, along with bassoon makers and repairmen. Go to the website to check out the details and get an idea of the impressive offerings. But mostly, go to this camp to absorb some of the
gumption that the founders, Jo Ann Simpson and Richard Hoenich have shown
during their rich and successful careers in music. ALL ages and skill levels are welcomed and incorporated into the musical fabric.
(August 20-26, 2016)
And speaking of gumption and initiative, a young
professional, Mike Harley wrote to me recently about a weekend workshop on NewBassoon Workshop – multiphonics, circular breathing, electronics, live-looping,
commissioning, !@#!@#$ BERIO), that is being run out of Eastman by the Dark in the Song collective. Here are players who are fearlessly
exploring the newer techniques and repertoire for our fabulous instrument and it’s
essential learning for all of us. The
tuition covers 30 hours of instruction and I think is enormously worthwhile for
bassoonists of every age. Go! I might go too. (July 6-9)
There are, of course, other many music camps for bassoonists
in Canada. Here is an incomplete list, based on the letters written to me
recently by the directors. I have no direct experience with any of them, but I
always respect initiative and I promised the writers that I would mention their
camps. I may have forgotten some because filing is not my strong point, but in
any case, here are three:
VSO Institute (June 26 – July 5), Scotia Festival Young Artists Program (May 22 to June 5) and PRISMA (June 12-25).
GUMPTION ALERT – ALL these schools need bassoonists! If you have the moxie (aka gumption), ask for a scholarship
and be prepared to be a stellar candidate if they grant you one!
Parting thought (GUMPTION 101) ----You can do all of these camps, and/or,
DIY! Consider asking a great teacher if you can have private lessons. You can
tailor an individualized program of study and practice that will boost your
playing enormously. There are many great bassoonists in Canada and beyond… think
of one whom you admire and ask for a lesson!
Or start a fund raising campaign and raise the money for 10 lessons, and
book a recital in your hometown to finish the summer. There is a world out there that needs your
creativity and ideas too.
Gumption and summertime… an unbeatable combination. I'll stop saying gumption now.
Love to all,
Nadiva
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