| Author |
Subject |
Cellospieler
Registered User
(10/11/00 1:53:59 pm)
Reply |
SummerKeys questions
I have reserved a spot for the last
week next August for the Cello workshop in Maine. Is anyone here
attending that same week?
Can anyone who has been tell me
what I'm in for? Any advice about where to stay, what to see, etc.?
I realize this is way ahead, but I am a planner! Thanks in
advance.
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phesketh
Registered User
(10/11/00 2:53:39 pm)
Reply |
Re:
SummerKeys questions
That is the week I went last year
... some thoughts
- bring a soft case ... hard cases are hard to
lug up and down stairs.
- I heard staying in Canada was cheaper
... I have also heard rumours
of boarder problems with US rental
cars ..
- I hope you like fish !
- if you are travelling
through boston or newyork on american eagle give yourself plenty of
time to make the boston connection. I decided to take more time in
Bangor and take a 4:30 flight out (for my 7:00 flight in boston) ..
but boston got too busy and they cancelled the 4:30 flight and I
ended up staying overnight in Bangor (which didn't have an available
room on the long weekend) should have taken the 2:30 flight! A
similar thing happend on flights to laguardia (sp?).
- bring
your own cello ... the rentals available up there are not worth the
trouble (and they wont want to rent to you to return on the long
weekend anyway).
- don't make plans to do too much sightseeing
... you can easily spend 6hrs a day behind a cello ...
Enjoy
yourself !
Paula
|
JanJan
Registered
User
(10/11/00 3:03:10 pm)
Reply |
Re:
SummerKeys questions
Additional thoughts.
. Hope
you like FRIED fish!
. Yes, it's definitley cheaper to stay in
Canada. It's just a hassle not being able to walk to/from camp to
lodging. I didn't have any problems with the border folks though,
but then I was driving my own car.
. The soft case is a good
suggestion. Some second-floor practice rooms are a struggle to reach
with a hard case.
. If the weather is good, be creative with
where you practice. You don't HAVE to use your assigned practice
room. I like to combine sight-seeing and practice by taking my cello
out to the light houses to practice. But bring some clothespins to
hold your music down!
. The teachers are very encouraging. You'll
be amazed at what you can accomplish in a week of concerted effort
without the demands of everyday life.
Janet
http://www.nese.net
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Dorie
Straus 
Registered User
(10/12/00 6:49:26 pm)
Reply |
Re:
SummerKeys questions
I went in 1998. I stayed in a cabin
with my family across the bay (still Lubec) so I had to be dropped
off in town every morning (5 miles). I was isolated from the group.
But, I was on a different mission; it had to be 1/2 vacation. I
still hiked everyday, took a very rough whale watch from Canada
(might sitll have the bruises to prove it.)For me it was an
inspiration kind of workshop having been diagnosed with arthritis
earlier in the year. The SummerKeys thing is so laid back you can
make it whatever you want. There are people there who never touched
a cello before and there are people who go there every year and play
pretty well.
If I were to go again, I'd stay in a b&b in
town, mingle more, bring my soft case and walk. If you live in a
metropolitan area, the low cost of housing is almost shocking in
Lubec. Bruce Potterton is also pretty good at getting peoples' names
and emails sent around so you might be able to split an apartment
with someone.
Edited by: Dorie
Straus at: 10/12/00 6:49:26 pm
|
Cellospieler
Registered User
(10/12/00 12:49:07 pm)
Reply |
Questions answered, thanks!
Thanks for all the insights! My wife
and I (she'll be in the piano workshop) are all set. We're staying
at the Pea@#%$ house B&B, and will be renting a car after flying
directly to Bangor from Los Angeles, where we live.
My
teacher is loaning me his steelcase cargo shipping box, so I will be
taking my cello with me and will not need to rent one
there.
We've always wanted to see Maine after reading so many
Stephen King novels. Sounds like a great way to get away and see
another part of America.
|
Dorie
Straus
Registered User
(10/12/00 3:11:13 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Questions answered, thanks!
This is Maine like no other part of
Maine. It is as far away from anything as you can get. No tourist
place this. There is pretty much nothing as you head east from
Bangor for the eternity is takes to get to Lubec. But, worth
it.
|
JanJan
Registered
User
(10/13/00 8:34:21 am)
Reply |
Re:
Questions answered, thanks!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I
believe Washington County heads the state in poverty levels. If not,
it's up there. And it's also my understanding that Maine is the
poorest of the New England states.
My first time to Lubec I
was shocked by the contrasts. Walk down any street and you're apt to
see 2 (or more) houses for sale, one that's all boarded up, one
beautifully restored victorian, and the rest in various stages of
decay.
As you drive around the area, you'll see things
abandoned all over the place. A rusting tractor where left by the
waters edge, where there's no field to plow. It must have outlived
it's usefulness, and there it sits. I first went there in 1996, and
I took picutres of the rotting hull of an old fishing boat, grounded
in a tiny inlet. It was still there this year...just more decayed.
And I expect to get yet another shot of it next
summer.
Maine's a fascinating state that covers a large area,
with many distinct regions. What you'll see is the rocky coast
pictured on so many Downeast calendars. But you'll also see how hard
it is to eke out a living in there. It's a lovely place to visit
(and to play cello!), but I sure wouldn't want to live there.
Janet
http://www.nese.net
|
phesketh
Registered User
(10/13/00 2:05:59 pm)
Reply |
Re:
SummerKeys questions
Some things I forgot
- pack
clothespins (used to keep music on stands when practicing outside
... you will probably end up practicing or having your lessons
outside.
- pack an umbrella (Maine does get rain in the summer
... coming from SanJose I almost forgot to pack mine this year ...
rain in august didn't make sense as a concept).
- pack insect
repellent and sunscreen ... (it is lots of fun trying to play your
piece for the performance while multiple misquitos are having a
snack on your legs.
Paula
|
RonH
Registered User
(10/13/00 6:06:23 pm)
Reply |
Paula,
where did you go?
Your post is curious. I was at
Summerkeys 3 years (other than the last two) and
We could choose
to practice outside, but inside accommodations for practice were
provided and my lessons were always inside.
Although it may rain,
it never rain once when I was there.
The performances by Peter
Lewy (cello teacher) et al were in the parrish hall, as were the
student recitals, always free from insects and other critters that I
remember.
It was generally civilized.
Ron
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phesketh
Registered User
(10/16/00 8:10:13 pm)
Reply |
Re:
SummerKeys questions
I was at summerkeys the week before
labour day this year.
I should point out that it was record
temperatures and humidity all week.
Peter's habit was to hold
lessons outside if weather allowed and windows and doors were wide
open at the parish hall to keep the temperature down during
performances etc. So the mosquitos got in ...
and
unfortunately ... I have one of those blood types that mosquitos
love (not the one they love most ... but one of the 2nd or 3rd
choices) ... so I had 20-30 bites by the end of the week. I am also
photosensitive ...
so I hit a store and bought sunblock really
fast .
I really enjoyed the week and I didn't actually eat
*any* fried fish ...
(most places also serve baked ..). And if
you love scallops that area is a good place to go.
Paula
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