Some People Summer at the Beach; We Like ‘Band Camp’

The Interlochen summer arts camps in Interlochen, Mich., started in the 1920s as a high school orchestra camp. Today, Interlochen offers summer arts camps for people of all ages. Its adult "band camp" is loved by many.

It was the spring of 2006. The conversation with our buddies in New Horizons Band went something like this:

 ”You’re doing what?”
 ”We’re going to band camp.”
 ”Like high schoolers do?”
 ”Not quite. They say there will be no marching involved.”
 ”Where?”
 ”Interlochen, Michigan. There’s an academy for the arts up there.”
 ”I don’t know. That sounds kinda gutsy for me.”

With support like this from our friends, my wife (flute) and I (horn/trumpet) began to doubt the wisdom of our planned trip to band camp at Interlochen. After all, both of us were over 65. We planned to camp in the state park across the road from the academy. Were we crazy to even think about going to band camp? However, there is a certain mystique associated with Interlochen. We felt that going there would be a pilgrimage. 

We had thoroughly enjoyed our experience in a band directed toward seniors. Our band was part of the New Horizons International Music Association, but it could have been any of several other musical groups directed at seniors. My wife had started playing flute from scratch. I had played trumpet in high school, but my horn was a new toy. Why not go to band camp? We might never have another chance.

The camp program comprised three bands – beginning, intermediate and advanced – plus an orchestra. Each met in full group rehearsals, and in brass and woodwind sectional rehearsals. Between band and sectional rehearsals, we played for three hours per day. That’s enough to kill one’s embouchure.

Then there were small groups, such as jazz band, and a German band. Some smart people signed up for chorus, or another group that didn’t tax their chops. Not me. I was a newbie who didn’t expect to be overdoing a good thing.  C’est la vie.

Rehearsals started on a Sunday evening. By Thursday morning, we had learned enough about each other, our instructors, and a challenging repertoire of music for each group to be able to present a concert for the other folks in camp. How good was our music? Better than most of us had expected. 

What’s the driving force?  It’s about knowing that everybody else in camp is just as tired as you are. It’s about proving to the guy/gal sitting next to you that you can do it. It’s about proving to yourself that you can do it.  Let’s face it; none of us would join a band if we didn’t enjoy making music to the best of our respective abilities, with the expectation that someone will enjoy our music. 

It’s 475 miles from Interlochen to our home in Cincinnati. That’s a long drive. As we drove home, we were tired, proud, and anxiously awaiting another opportunity to go to band camp. We told our doubting colleagues about the good time we had enjoyed. 

We have been to two more band camps at Interlochen. We’ve also been to two band camps in Chautauqua, NY. We keep seeing some of the same band campers we’ve met at previous band camps. Then it’s time for a big hug for each of our long-lost “band cousins,” as if it were a family reunion. 

For some people, vacation means lying on the beach and getting sunburned. For others, it means bending over a roulette wheel in Vegas. For us, it means band camp. We’re confirmed band camp junkies. We’re signed up for another band camp, later this year. And probably another band camp to follow.

Bruce Bardes
Cincinnati
Copyright © 2010 by Bruce Bardes.  Used by permission.