Have you heard of CAMMAC?

CAMMAC invites you to make music this summer

Guylaine Lemaire

Well-known and loved by many amateur and professional musicians from the Ottawa area, CAMMAC (Canadian Amateur Musicians / Musiciens Amateurs du Canada) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for people of all ages to experience the joy of both making and listening to music together.

CAMMAC Online

When forced to cancel summer music programs at the CAMMAC Music Centre last year because of the pandemic, CAMMAC’s director and teachers rallied quickly to create an extensive online program that is now a popular resource for both CAMMAC members and the general population alike.

Each month, a varied program is offered for amateur musicians of all ages and levels. There are instrumental and voice workshops, master classes, a virtual choir, lectures on various musical topics and genres, and even yoga classes. In addition, there are online concert events with internationally known ensembles such as The Gesualdo Six, the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal and les Violons du Roy. Private coaching is also available.

This summer, stay tuned for chamber music lectures given by Julian Armour in partnership with Music and Beyond. Also, in partnership with CAMMAC, several NAC orchestra musicians are offering workshops.

You don’t need to be a member to sign up for a class — everyone is welcome to join online to connect, learn and be inspired. Classes are either bilingual or offered in both French and English.

CAMMAC Music Centre

Founded in 1953, CAMMAC has a long tradition of attracting people from the Ottawa area to spend a week (or more) during summer at the CAMMAC Music Centre, situated on Lake MacDonald in the Laurentians.

Activities at the Music Centre are on hold again this summer, but in normal years seven weeks of summer programming attract over 1,000 musicians of all ages and abilities to come and make music in a relaxing, fun and non-competitive environment.

Seniors, younger adults and multi-generational family groups mix together, with people returning year after year to get their summer music fix. Participants perfect their technique while discovering new repertoire and learning from a teaching staff of well-known, dedicated professional musicians from Canada and abroad. Everyone enjoys the great food and beautiful surroundings, and life-long friendships are made while “at camp.”

Ottawa region

CAMMAC holds regional events in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, including sight readings, in-person workshops, concerts and the very popular “Come Sing Messiah,” performed every year on the first Friday in December at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, uniting the voices of over 600 singers for the event. In-person events are currently suspended but will resume as soon as possible.

CAMMAC invites you to discover all that is on offer: become a better musician, discover new perspectives and stay inspired in your own personal musical journey.

Want to find out more?

There is a summer camp video on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=JauHF5gZb3g
You can also visit the CAMMAC website at www.cammac.ca

Guylaine Lemaire lives in Sandy Hill with her husband, cellist and Director of Music and Beyond, Julian Armour. She is Artistic Director of CAMMAC.