CAMP ENCORE-CODA

a great summer of music, sports and friends!

 

SELECTED COMMENTS FROM SUMMER 2005

 

Dear Jamie,

 

       Thanks very much for sending the sleeping bag along. And thanks so much for the faculty evaluations. They were so helpful. Steve's sax teacher at NEC has asked for copies so that he can read them before he and Steve begin their lessons this fall. I was wondering if you provided student evaluations and then they arrived in the mail. It was lovely.

        First of all, your camp is absolutely beautiful. Mark and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit on August 6. We were so impressed with the quality of the instructors and with their enthusiasm and great way with the kids. The performances were very enjoyable. It was just wonderful to see how Steve progressed on his instrument in such a short time. He seemed to work well with his teachers and to be able to use his class time and practice time very effectively.

        Steve told us that he got along well with the younger campers. He seemed to enjoy his contact with them. I think that Steve got along well with his cabin as well...the structure of the program provided so many opportunities for him to have positive interactions... His cabin mates seemed to be very supportive and Wes was great. All in all, it was a great experience for Steve.

        We really hope he will return next year. Thank you again for everything. You run a wonderful program.

 

                                                                                                                                             -parent from Andover, MA

 

 

Hi Jamie,

 

       I didn't get a chance to chat with you this weekend, so I wanted to drop you a line to thank you and your entire staff for everything you did for Emily this summer!

       Emily had a tremendous experience at camp and was so disappointed to come home yesterday.  She seemed to thrive in your musical community and has come home with improved technique and a greater overall knowledge of music and performance.  She had nothing but great things to say about her flute and sax teachers as well.

       As a mother, I appreciate all of the correspondence and phone calls that eased my mind while she was there.  Seeing the performances you were able to get out of these kids in such a short time made me realize what a high quality organization you are running.

       I feel that you have thought through every detail of the music camp experience and we look forward to next summer!

 

                                                                                                                                              -parent from Reading, MA

 

 

Hi Jamie,

 

        I picked up Adele yesterday morning at the airport. She was transformed by her stay with you.
She told us all about the great relationships she built with all the kids, by the warm welcome of your organization, and by the incredible professionalism of the entire staff. These are all things that are invaluable to her, and therefore to us, particularly for a kid of that age living in another country. It opened her up.
       Jamie, I want to thank you for taking care of Adele like that, and in general just want to tell you that you've built a truly great setup over there. Please extend my thanks to your team.
                                                                                                                                                 parent from Paris, France

 

 

Dear Jamie and Ellen,

     Once again, thank you for an amazing summer full of music, memories, and friendships. This summer was one of the best teaching and learning experiences I have ever had. I appreciate your constant support and advice, as well as always being available. I do not think that I can fully describe what a magical place Encore/Coda is...

     Again, I cannot thank you enough for one of the best summers of my life. Your dedication, leadership, and promotion of the arts and music education is exemplary. I hope to return next summer!

                                                                                                                          -staff member from Mahopac Falls, NY

 

 

Jamie and Ellen,

 

       Thanks for another great summer for Erin.  She loves being at Encore-Coda, and we really enjoy Parents' Visiting Day.  With her in Senior Orchestra this year, we got to hear a truly outstanding performance.  It is obvious that the campers are having a great time, and our missing her while she is away is balanced by the fact that we know she is having a wonderful summer and that she is progressing as a musician.

        Although it is only September, I need to plan my vacation time for next year.  Could you please send me the camp session dates for next year so I can plan accordingly?

        Thanks again for giving Erin such a great time.

                                                                                                                                     -parent from Longmeadow, MA

 

Hi Jamie!

 

       Just wanted to let you know that Gaby had a wonderful time at camp, and definitely wants to return next summer. And her clarinet teacher told us she made incredible progress in just those 3 weeks!  The evaluations were so helpful - thank you. And I will send you back the survey in a day or two.

        In the meantime, I just wanted to check on next year's dates one more time...We are trying to organize a family reunion in Europe next summer, and want to make sure we leave time for Encore/Coda.

        Thanks so much, and have a wonderful Labor Day week-end!

                                                                                                                                              -parent from Concord, MA

 

Dear Jamie,

 

       I will not be able to come back to Encore/Coda this summer, as the time has come in my life for college tours and application essays.  I wanted to email you to say how much of a difference camp has made in my life.  It made me a better performer, taught me better theory, and made me an all-round better musician.  I still keep in touch with the friends that I made at camp... My role in Bye Bye Birdie this summer gave me enough courage as a performer to finally make the musical at my school--I was Rapunzel in Into the Woods. 

        I don't think that two summers at Encore/Coda are enough, at all.  I'm hoping to have the opportunity to be a counselor later on, just so I can come back.

       Mostly I just wanted to thank you for making a place where I had so much fun and learned so much.

 

                                                                                                                                          -camper from the Netherlands

 

Hi Jamie and Ellen,

 

       Thank you so much for providing Tessa with a wonderful camp experience!  She has made so many new friends and the music she played at your camp has motivated her to practice and continue with violin and voice with more passion and drive for this upcoming school year. 

       Thanks again for a lovely camp experience.

                                                                                                                                             -parents from Bethany, CT

 

Dear Jamie and Ellen,

 

       Thank you so much for everything you do and for having such an amazing camp!  This summer has truly been one of the most meaningful and memorable ones I've ever spent.  Camp always inspires me so much and I love it more and more each year.  Again thanks for everything and have a great year. I look forward to hopefully many more awesome summers!

                                                                                                                               -camper from  Briarcliff Manor, NY

 

 

Hi Brent & Jamie,

 

       Many, many thanks for the great 'early concert' last night at Arts Jubilee.  The Camp Encore Coda kids were outstanding - displaying amazing talent and stage presence, not to mention musicality - and they were certainly appreciated by the audience.  It was great to see the numbers of listeners swell as the time went on.  Everyone who was there really had a musical treat!  Please relay our sincere thanks to the musicians.  It is my personal hope that they will all keep music as a major force in their lives.  It is a wonderful gift to share with others, while helping yourself at the same time! 

       And, hopefully, this will be just the beginning of a long time relationship between Arts Jubilee and Camp Encore Coda!  We will welcome your participation in our concerts any time!

 

                                                                                                                 -concert promoter from North Conway, NH

 

Hi Jamie,

       First of all -- it was SO great to visit on Parents' Day. The camp really took its breath away -- perfect in every way, the setting so completely unspoiled yet so beautifully laid out --and seeing so many kids focused on music and having fun and the energy and enthusiasm of your really amazing staff.. it was quite touching, really. There are so few things in this life that are "as advertised" -- and your camp is certainly one of them. A great place for kids to discover and explore their connection to music, and Incredibly good vibes all around...
 

                                                                                                                                             -parent from New York City

 

 

To Jamie and the staff at Camp Encore/Coda,

 

       Brandon and I wanted to thank you so much for the opportunity to attend your camp this summer. Brandon had such a wonderful time and made a lot of new friends. The experience was very beneficial to him...   He has been sharing wonderful stories with me about his experiences there since he got home and he really hopes to be able to attend next summer. I am so glad that there is a place like camp Encore/Coda where he can learn about music and be with his peers. Thanks so much!

 

                                                                                                                                                -parent from Poland, ME

 

 

Dear Ellen and Jamie,

      

       Thank you for giving me such a fabulous summer experience. This job has solidified my love for teaching and was a daily reminder of why music is so important to keep alive. You run a great place...camp is quite special. I have enjoyed it so much. The experience has meant so much to me.

       Much love and many thanks,

                                         

                                                                                                                              -staff member from Marshfield, MA

 

 

Jamie,


       I want to thank you for providing the opportunity for Hannah to attend camp this session. Watching her on parents day brought tears to my eyes because of the way she loved acting. The fun jazz and creativity and symphonic winds was astounding. My little girl was a part of that and at such a young age. I know that this experience will stay with her always. I will try to keep her going every summer. Your staff has been polite, helpful and happy every time I see any of them and when Hannah tells me on the way home at night that she is grateful for being able to go and thanks me for taking the time to drive her each day I realize that your camp is not just enriching and educational but, helping us shape the future of America with love, acceptance and empathy.
                                                                                                                          -parent of day camper from Lovell, ME

 


Hi Ellen and Jamie,

 

        I just wanted to drop you a quick note and let you know how much Amanda loved camp this year. I was surprised and delighted when she said she wanted to go back, and I knew it might be kind of strange to return after 2 summers away. But she was so happy--every letter was really positive and obviously she was loving every part of it.  Doing the solo in Star Wars was especially thrilling for her--she had just been through many stressful auditions around Boston, so to come to camp and feel comfortable with the music and in all her ensembles was a relief and a pleasure for her... She actually said she would have stayed all summer (if there was room) if we hadn't already planned a trip for August. She said she would love to be a CIT next summer, (a bit of a surprise), and we think that would be a great thing for her.
       So thank you for everything! We also were thrilled to be there on parent's day, and it was a wonderful day...  Encore/Coda has been a gift for our children!

                                                                                                                                            -parent from Newton, MA

 

Dear Jamie,

 

       Another thank you for another great month for the boys.  It's nice to have them home--there's music playing in every room and constant conversation about camp.  My father-in-law came with us for the weekend and he couldn't believe the camp, the spirit, and how much the kids accomplished.  I can't thank you enough.
       Have a great second session and we'll look forward to the yearbook/DVD and anything else camp-related that comes our way.
                                                                                                                                           -parent from Scarsdale, NY

 

Summer: 50 Encore/Coda Lane, Sweden, ME, 04040 Tel: 207-647-3947
Winter: 32 Grassmere Rd., Brookline, MA, 02467 Tel: 617-325-1541
Email: jamie@encore-coda.com