Ask any veteran attendee of Swing Camp to explain what makes it so special and you will find the word "MAGIC" somewhere in the explanation. We asked them to tell more about what the magic is all about!
From Kate Braid,
I joined Brian Tate's Swing Choir, and then voice classes, and over the years, took every voice class going.
The teachers were, without exception, wonderful, and the Instructor's Concert every Tuesday night, was without doubt, the best concert of any kind, I'd ever seen or heard!
The other great joy of that week, was seeing old friends, people I'd taken musical chances with, sang with and danced with. I loved Swing Camp - it was a precious experience.
From Terry Hoffman,
Forgetting the
lyrics can be
a mortifying
experience –
but what if
there’s a rescue?
Our dear, departed friend Ken McLaren was famous for this; he simply could not remember lyrics, but it never stopped him from performing! He always “chickened in” rather than “chickening out.”
During the Student Concert one year, while singing “Cheek To Cheek”, Ken lost his way once more. He persevered, but those words were just not gonna come. In frustration, he growled, “Oh, get off your asses and dance!”
And so we did. In short order, the benches were cleared off to the sides of Kekuli, and there were dancers everywhere! Ken beamed at us from the stage as the band played on.
Rescued! Magical!
Joe Vinikow and Julie Sakahara,
No event has had more capable instructors, more motivated students, and a more energized and enjoyable learning environment. We both look forward with enthusiasm to the next evolution of our favorite music workshop.
From Trish Cameron
“As a loyal attendee of this wonderful camp for over a decade, I testify to the magic of this gathering: learning and inspiration; listening to incredible music which the audience's love and appreciation further raised to new heights; so much laughter and learning; fellow campers whose talent, humour, fun, and generosity made the week of camp a joy. Those few days each year are always viewed with sweet anticipation."
From Pat Manley
... where jazz royalty comes to teach and play.
Imagine an entire week where 200 people each do their best to make the next moment a little better for everyone they encounter: that's camp.
The music is, of course, stellar, but the generosity and warmth of the instructors and fellow campers are what make the experience so special.
By the end of my first day at camp, I felt like my brain was ready to explode! I had never learned so much in a single day, ever. And then the next day, we got up and did it again! It was intoxicating and exhausting in equal measure. It took me a few years to learn to pace myself, and to allow myself to feel that I truly belonged in this magical kingdom. Now, I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Singing with the dance band is such a thrill! It's a transporting experience to ride that big sound, and freeing to know that everyone is having so much fun dancing that they aren't really looking at you.
From Kristina Olsen,
The way I teach my dance classes, there is no set role of leader or follower, each person switches back and forth and I was so nervous thinking, ’These men won’t dig me telling them to dance together.’ They were in fact incredible, not only were they (and the women!) versatile enough to switch roles back and forth, but they loved felling what it feels like to be on both sides. I found that the caliber of humans that go to BC Swing music camp are a high caliber human indeed. Not getting stuck in expected stereotypes, but eager to grow, learn and experience new things. What a joy to get to work with those sorts of humans!
From Dave Philpot,
From 2009 to 2018 the second week in August became sacred. Swing Camp was the highlight of our summer for 10 years. Every March I would hurry to sign up as soon as registration opened.
Was it magic, those summer days by the lake in Sorrento? How can it be otherwise? Swing Camp was a part of the phenomenon which gave me friendship and music in the second half of my life.
Looking back I don't know how it all happened, but I'm immensely grateful for the kindness, support and sheer fun of that week in August, feelings that helped to sustain me for a full twelve months while counting down Rosemary's "sleeps" until we all met the next time. I hope we can all recover those feelings one day.
From Mike Garner,
It was only after the third camp that I realized it was more about the fun and comradery of the whole experience.
Band Lab was certainly one of the highlights, with Rene Worst’s able guidance, the random selection of members for the nine or so ad hoc bands, and the following 20 minutes for each band to get organized, pick a name (e.g. Stan Getz In Your Eyes), and rehearse the selected tune, yielded great performances from student musicians of varying levels of skill.
It was so much fun! Many of the campers came to see them, and this heightened the playing.
From Pat Taylor
I so loved my 2 years I went to swing camp, from the workshops to lab times in the afternoon, to backing up the band at the dance,s to sleeping in my funny looking tent getting rest for the next busy day at camp.
First year I set up my tent in the motel site by mistake and someone from the camp put it in a flat deck truck, still set up, and moved it to my correct site at Sorrento Centre Was pretty funny as many watched the move.
From Barry How,
As a long time camp attendee, a standout memory for me, was on August 14, 2015. Why? Because I did something I wanted to do for quite some time. After years of forgetting to bring the music to camp I finally brought it with me. And the memory involved two violins, cello and vocals. I secured the musical talents of Julian Smedley, Ali Romanow (violins), Linda S (vocals), and the late Jeff Moss (cello).
Flash mobs were kinda in vogue, and Brian T. has done a few lunch hour choir performances over the years. With that in mind, why not do one with a twist?
Julian, Ali, and Jeff set up beside the inside glass lunch room doors. With instruments in hand and three chairs, they prepared to play. What most people thought would be a string trio performance was not what one expected. Julian tapped a glass, and announced: "Any old Beatles?"
Linda and I were standing off to the side and immediately began singing "Ah, look at all the lonely people!" and launched into The Beatles' Eleanor Rigby. It was something quite special. The lunch crowd joined in with us. It was a marvelous moment with everyone, and I can't say enough about the string section (thanks Julian for the arrangement). A wonderful surprise flash moment that was too short. I did manage a recording of the event. It's not studio quality, but I'll always have it to listen to, and remember fellow musician Jeff.
From Claudia and David Logan,
Many of the most magical times at camp happened spontaneously.
Following Joe’s traditional beach party, a number of us found ourselves not quite ready to turn in for the night. Soon we found ourselves standing, well past midnight, in the middle of a field under a spectacular full moon. We think it was Lorry White who started us singing some old fifties tunes in harmony. Others soon wandered over and joined in.
It was a magical time and we will always remember it as a camp highlight. We remember that Kathy Francis came over and said she thought it was “some kids” singing in the middle of the field.
From John Lyon
I ended up coming to my first swing camp after years of positive testimony from several friends. Actually, they raved about Swing Camp and made it clear that I simply HAD to come.
At my first Swing Camp, back in 2007, I was astonished at the skill and musicianship of the instructors. I was in awe. Soon I discovered that the instructors were just as nice as they were skilled and talented. Then over the years I made some very dear friends who are still dear to me to this day.
And those amazing instructors’ concerts! Oh my. I had the impression that the instructors enjoyed their week together as much as the students.
A special joy was bringing first my teenage son, and later my wife. I suspect Swing Camp helped push my son in the direction of a career in music.
And friendships, friendships, friendships!
Later, in 2013, when I took over booking the Deep Cove Coffee House in North Vancouver, I was able to book many of the students and instructors I had met at swing camp. I continue to book many of them to this day.
From Patti Palm,
Close your eyes and listen to the sound of the lake lapping up through the rhythm of the trees creaking and rustling as the gentle and warm breeze envelops you and carries your worries elsewhere.
For one exquisite week of calm, kindness, learning and fellowship you can sing your heart out and dance your shoes off to the Music of Industry Professionals, your fellow campers emerging careers and other musical musings.
A multi-generational event full of intriguing classwork, opportunities to grow, stretch and perform, or just sit back and enjoy a hearty meal, a swim at the beach or an afternoon nap, being lulled to sleep by tunes of all who attend.
There is nothing like it anywhere that compares with our Swing West Jazz Camp. Come and see for yourself. It will change you forever!
From Judy J Johnston,
From 2005 onwards I attended every BC Swing Camp offered. Why? Why did I count the “sleeps” until the day I set out, why did I gaze longingly at photos of previous camps, why did I get a little chill when I saw any news about it? This camp, more than any other, is about personal growth through music. No judgment, only encouragement. It’s never about what I know but about what I can learn. It’s an opportunity for total immersion with every moment filled by music.
The instructors gift us with their astute assessment of what we need, ready with that encouraging word or specific tool to increase our skills. The total immersion becomes a community, each of us breathing this air of mutual support and respect. We truly celebrate each other! We experience emotional journeys together and form bonds of friendship that live on and on. There are so many instances of these moments, too many to tell here. But those who have experienced it have come away a different person. It changed my life forever!
From Zarina Mulla
The year was 2007, my second year at Swing music camp. I played acoustic nylon guitar and was new to the world of playing Jazz. One sunny day in 2007, I was sitting in a guitar class under an apple tree, learning the intricacies of jazz chords. My teacher was beyond excellent,and the music (Miles Davis - So What) was exactly what I was thirsting for. But then why was I distracted?
The reason: the horn class in the distance with its sustained and captivating long tones, the very hallmark of wind instruments that distinguish them from other instruments like strings or percussion. I was riveted by the sound as it brought back pleasant childhood memories of a neighbour practicing arpeggios. I guess, the seed had already been planted then, but I had no reason to water it for the longest time, believing it was out of reach. But this time, it felt different. I felt compelled to do something about it. Or rather, could it be that Swing music camp was changing my personality to embolden me to do something about it?
So, as soon as class finished, I walked up to Tom Keenlyside’s horn class which had also just finished. I had a question for Tom and, as I hardly knew him, I had no idea what to expect. I told him I could read music and wanted to pick up a wind instrument but didn't have time to spend several years just to acquire the basics. Where would I start, if at all such a thing was feasible, in the first place?
He gave me a two word answer: Alto
Saxophone. I leaned in. He made it sound
as if it could be within my reach after all.
On my return to Vancouver, I immediately
rented an alto saxophone and started
taking lessons. Fast-forward 18 years, the
alto saxophone has become my principal instrument. I have learned a lot under highly proficient instructors and taken part in several performances and jams. And yet, there is so much more to learn.
Hence, recently, this love affair has led me to take some adventurous steps, like quitting my job and enrolling in a music degree program as a saxophone major. Now in my second year, I realize that another new world has begun to unfold, just like Swing camp had nearly two decades ago.
As for Tom, I too have two words for him: THANK YOU.
From Linda Schopf,
One of the things I found incredible about swing camp was the togetherness. I didn't know a soul going in, but after spending morning till night every single day for the week doing nothing but music collaboration and music concerts together, I felt very connected. As well as delighted with improvement and nervous and excited and joyful.
Playing and singing together IS where the magic is made. It has always been apparent to me when singing/playing in a band too: the audience feeds off the band members: if we are having a blast up there on stage, the people below are too and usually dancing!