CAMP ENCORE-CODA

-camper from Bethesda, MD

Hi Jamie,

I have been meaning to write to you for a while now to say what a wonderful time Benjamin had at camp this summer.  He was bursting with stories when we came to pick him up.  At one point he said he wish he could use a pensieve (Harry Potter reference) to store all his memories in so that he could have us experience them – there was just too much exciting news to share!  He loved cabin life, he *loved* the food (couldn’t rave enough about it and still talks about it at times), he reveled in the independence of walking around the camp on his own and the responsibility of getting himself from one activity to the next.  In fact, he did not have one negative comment.  He liked his teachers and counselors, and he seemed to get along with everyone just fine. Benjamin has already declared that he wants to return next summer for both sessions…

-parent from New York City

 Jamie,

            … Jennie and I were just blown away with Helen's piano playing when she came home.  The improvement that we see after only 3-1/2 weeks of camp is astounding.  Please let her teachers know how delighted and astounded we are.

-parent and camper alum from Pelham, NY

Hi Jamie,

It was a pleasure working with the staff at Encore/Coda and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. The people I met and the progress I made musically is life-changing, and I can't thank you enough for your hospitality. Encore/coda is something special, and I miss it already

-camper from Redding, CT

Dear Jamie and Ellen,

                As we're settling into our fall routines I wanted to take a minute to thank you again for the wonderful experience Sophie had at camp this summer.  I'm still hearing many stories and also hear the songs and pieces she learned at camp, both vocally and on the violin.  I can't say enough positive things about her experience.  Sophie has been asking already about next summer and would like to go for the full session…Again, thank you for everything.

-parent from Briarcliff Manor, NY

Dear Jamie,

Just a quick note to tell you what a successful summer Brandon and Eliza both had with you. It was the perfect introduction to being away from home. They felt cared for and comfortable with a lovely group of peers and counselors. They felt challenged appropriately in their music and they thoroughly enjoyed everything they did.  All in all, we were extremely satisfied with their experiences with you and want to thank you for creating a terrific environment for them

-parent from Chappaqua, NY

Dear Jamie & Ellen,

This camp brings me a lot of joy.  My favorite part is how the camp balances out many different types of music.  I can’t think of anywhere else where kids get this many choices as to how they want to make music….rock, jazz, classical, etc.  The staff here is great, and there is generally a very positive energy among the staff.  That’s one reason I want to come back for more. 

-staff member from Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dear Jamie,

So, we have learned that our son Henry is not a writer…We did, however… receive a call from him today.  He did not have a single thing to say about camp which wasn’t glowingly positive.  The weather, the food, his cabin mates, his counselors, etc., were all given the glorious word “awesome.”  With tales of casino night and getting to play from the back of a truck for reveille, his singing to us various camp songs and reliving various jokes (“have you been subdividing?”), he could not have sounded happier.  So, as always, thank you for everything you do. 

-parent from Katonah, NY

Dear Jamie & Ellen,

Camp Encore/Coda is a wonderful place with great people. You two do a remarkable job – on every level! It is really a privilege to be part of your organization…I’m proud to be a staff member at Camp Encore/Coda 2009.

-parent and staff member from Milton, MA

Jamie and Ellen,

 I wanted to thank you for a great summer! You do such an awesome job with the camp and all the ensembles. Jamie, especially, thanks for getting me into Wind Ensemble. That really helped me learn a lot…This was my first real time at camp and I just want to thank you again. See you next year for sure.

-camper from Brownfield, ME

Jamie & Ellen,

            Camp for Hannah was the absolute best thing to happen to her. She seems to have matured in so many ways and definitely takes her music more seriously. I don't know how so much can change in just 3 weeks…and of course the end of camp brought on a kind of mourning for obviously, the best time of her life. Thank you again for the opportunity and we hope she can attend again.

-parent from Stow, ME

Dear Jamie and Ellen,

            We would like to thank you again for offering such a wonderful music experience to Emma. She truly feels Encore-Coda is her home away from home, where she can bond with other young students who share the same passion in life. It really has opened up a new world to her and given her the support and inspiration to excel in all her musical endeavors…Thanks again for all the fond memories.

-parent from Walpole, MA

Dear Jamie & Ellen,

…I just really wanted to say thank you for having me work with you this summer. I had an absolutely amazing time with the kids and the rest of the staff and loved Maine

-staff member from England

Hi Ellen and Jamie,

As you know, camp was so, so GREAT for Sarah…she has never had a better summer and the combination of all that came with being a CIT was wonderful for her!

-parent from Brookline, MA

Dear Jamie,

            …I'd like to convey a few of Will's impressions/reflections on camp… When I asked him on Parent's Day to rate his camp experience on a scale of 1-10, he gave it a 10. He never gives anything a 10.  As we were preparing to leave on Sunday, he gave a round of hugs.  He has added about 65 Encore/Coda folks as Facebook Friends.  And this past Sunday, our family sat down to dinner. As has become custom in our household, we go around the table and each share one thing that we are thankful for.  He volunteered that he was thankful that he got to go to Camp Encore/Coda.  As a parent who had a fair bit of trepidation in nudging his son out of his comfort zone into sleep away camp, it was very gratifying to hear this.  It is sometimes hard to know if what we do for our kids is the right thing. In this case, I have no question we gave him an opportunity which was exactly what he needed.  Thank you for making it possible.

-parent from Chapel Hill, NC

Dear Jamie and Ellen,

I just wanted to let you both know that I had a really great summer at Encore/Coda. I loved working with all the cellists. They were a wonderful bunch, and I felt like we accomplished a lot. Good luck with everything this year, please stay in touch and I will do the same…Thanks again for a great summer!

-staff member and camper alum from Lincoln, MA

Dear Jamie,

Isabella had an unbelievable summer...thank you from the bottom of our hearts for such a rich experience! Apparently, her range had been limited to show tunes during the school year...she came home singing some Italian opera!!!…What really made a difference for Isabella (and for us) is how much she learned about herself personally...she has assumed a lot more responsibility for herself and her actions since she has returned home…She has learned new social skills while maintaining her own identity during this time living with her peers...The biggest surprise for me was how little she was homesick, if at all! She was too busy having fun, despite the rain! She tells us that she definitely wants to come back next summer. We can't thank you enough for the opportunity you gave our daughter.

-parent from Braintree, MA

Dear Jamie,

Words cannot express how grateful I am for all that Camp Encore/Coda has done for our granddaughter Kaylee. She has become an outgoing, happy and confident young lady. Her improvement musically is amazing, but her outlook on life, the wonderful friendships she has made and kept, are all due to her experience during the last 4 summers…I sincerely thank you and all that you do – not only for Kaylee but for all of the young people who attend Camp Encore/Coda!

-grandparent from Falmouth, MA

Dear Jamie,

Working with you and Ellen is like working with good family.  I love my work.  You two are wonderful.  We would have a beautiful world if there were more people like the two of you in it.

-staff member from Brownfield, ME

Dear Jamie,

…I am sitting in my office in London wondering where all the time has gone...seeing the photos of the reunion brought back a flood of wonderful memories - and it's great to see the new concert hall (which I believe I had in its inaugural year) so alive and wonderfully decorated...Anyway, just a note to say that I remain as always a massive fan of E/C and thank you and your lovely wife for running such a wonderful place...do drop me a line and let me know how you are and of course if ever you're in London, you're welcome to be our guests...if there's ever anything I can do for you or E/C here in the UK do let me know.

-camper alumnus from Longmeadow, MA

Dear Jamie & Ellen,

I just wanted to write to say thank you for another amazing summer at Encore/Coda…My friends and I frequently state that “It’s incredible that Jamie & Ellen are able to run such a great place where so many friendships are started and the music never turns off.” I hope to return next summer once more. Thanks so much again!

-camper from Walpole, MA

Dear Ellen & Jamie,

I want to thank you both for the amazing summer that I’ve had here at Encore/Coda. It is a truly sensational place, made so by the people involved and in particular, the two of you. I’ve certainly never enjoyed a job so much or worked for someone as aware & caring as each of you are…I had an absolute ball.

-staff member from Australia

Ellen and Jamie,

Thanks so much. Jake really loves his summers at Encore/Coda. You’re terrific!

-parent from Wellesley, MA

Dear Jamie & Ellen,

We just wanted to thank you both again for letting Jenny spend such an enjoyable time at your camp. She had a wonderful experience and made some nice friends. Jenny camp home and played the Golderman Concerto #4 on the Cello which was delightful. She improved so much since working with her teacher at camp. She felt happy and proud that she could play the piece with such confidence…Thank you for all your support and kindness…

-parents from Elkins Park, PA

Dear Jamie and Ellen,

I had an amazing time. It just keeps getting better and better every year! I loved my cello teacher and the challenge of being in senior orchestra. Thank you also for putting me in a cabin with all my friends from last year. We all had a great time this year too…Thank you for a fantastic three weeks.

-camper from Woods Hole, MA

Dear Jamie and Ellen,

…Thank you again for having me around for another great year!

-camper from Poland, ME

Dear Jamie & Ellen,      

Claire had another wonderful summer at Encore/Coda…We all thank you most deeply.

-parents from Wellesley, MA