2006 Summer Camps
New England II
July 17-August 6
Patty Cuyler, David Akombo, Augustin Avoce, Olga Velitchkina
This session invites singers who are willing to delve deeply into the study of ethnic vocal technique. Our repertoire will be wide-ranging, starting with Village Harmony’s trademark American shape-note music and proceeding rapidly to an intriguing and challenging mix of world music styles—ancient and intricate polyphonies from the Mediterranean island of Corsica, West African call-and response songs, Kenyan and South African folk songs with dancing and drumming, and a set of powerful ritual, seasonal and festive songs and dances from village Russia. There will be the opportunity to learn to play balalaika for anyone interested as we put together a village-style band for our concerts. Village Harmony particularly welcomes David Akombo Augustin Avoce from Benin Republic, and Olga Velitchkina as they join us in teaching their first traveling camp sessions.
3-week long traveling performance camp, beginning with an 8-day rehearsal period, during which the group will learn a concert repertoire. Following the rehearsal retreat, the group goes on a concert tour.
Sky Meadow, Stannard, VT
$1175
Sky Meadow
Sky Meadow Retreat is located on a 150 year old homestead at the end of the road in the town of Stannard, in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The retreat center is in a newly renovated century old barn and includes a large open hardwood floor surrounded by windows, a dining area, couch area, and woodstove. Off this main room are three shared dorm rooms, each with four large beds, two full shared baths, and a fully equipped kitchen, including eating dishes and utensils. On the lower floor, near the pond, garden, and sheep pen, are two more dorm rooms, with three beds each, and a shared full bath. The 120 acres of land surrounding the center includes open fields, forests with trails, ponds for swimming, and a hilltop with magnificent views of the Green Mountains.
For more information, visit http://www.skymeadowretreat.com/