Fourth, I was walking around this huge Abbey. There was always people practicing everywhere, all the time, in their bedrooms, outside (if weather permitted of course), in the classrooms, in the practice rooms. It felt as if the Abbey itself, its walls, its roof, every room were breathing, living, singing Classical Music. I felt transported in another world. I loved it but was totally unaware how those moments were in fact changing my life, my future, the fate I drew for myself.
The camp ended with magnificent concerts from the teachers, culminating with a concerto with full orchestra. I will always remember this final closing concert. It was my first experience ever to hear a whole orchestra performing so close to me. I knew everyone in the orchestra too (as they were the students of the camp), which was creating an even bigger connection between me and the music.
The camp ended, everyone left in the morning, we said our goodbyes. My parents picked me up a little later in the afternoon. So I had to wait for them for some 5 or 6 hours at the Abbey. The most dramatic wait of my life! I walked the building, this gorgeous Abbey, and I felt completely empty, as if I was left in the middle of a desert. No music, no sound, NOTHING! A very dreadful silence filled this place. It was as if the place became a ghost town. I remember looking at the sky and sobbing. Sobbing like teenagers can do. I sobbed and sobbed, I wanted the music back, I wanted this immense joy I felt deep in me back. I couldn’t imagine all of this past month filled with joy and fascination of this new world to just be a “moment” of my life.. I wanted it to BE my life and FOREVER! I could not understand. What I went through was too powerful to disappear like that. I didn’t realize then that I just made a vow to myself to become a professional musician.
This camp had changed my life forever, and this was probably one of the happiest and saddest day of my life too!
I came back to my house, and couldn’t stop living, breathing, eating, sleeping Classical music, couldn’t stop listening to Classical music 24/7. My life had taken a complete 180 degree. I didn’t want to be a pilot anymore. I was listening to Classical music on the main National Classical radio relentlessly, checking programs, recording non-stop all the pieces I didn’t know (which were hundreds and hundreds of them), falling asleep with my headphones on, waking up at 3 or 4am realizing I fell asleep. Waking up the next morning, and first thing I thought about was listening, listening, listening to Classical music. I so wanted to go back to this place where I felt so deeply touched by the words of music. That place where all the dreams, all the hopes, and all the beauty of life can be expressed freely.
I became an avid practicer. I went from 3 hours a week to 6 hours a day! I didn’t want to go to school anymore. I ONLY wanted to practice and listen to Classical music. I became a bulimic and totally addicted to those beautiful melodic lines, gorgeous colors, textures. Every time I heard Classical music I felt projected back in time during my first Music/Piano Camp where I felt all these deep and amazing emotions.
So I think it would come as no surprises of why I want to organize Music and Piano Camps. It is simply because I truly believe in the power of Classical music and the effect it can have on us human, and even stronger on younger children. I want to offer to young musicians the same chance I had to participate and try to connect with their deep emotions. Teenagers have lots of trouble with deep emotions, their body changes, their concept of relationship changes, everything changes. Classical Music is such a powerful way to reach your inner emotions and learn to express them in a very positive and organized way. The effect Classical Music can have on youngster will never change. Sending them to Music Camps is one of the best service parents can do to help their children.
I never thought about those camps as a competition to become a young professional. True, some might become professional musicians after all, but my goal remains to give them a chance to truly and fully enjoy the depth of their emotions through Classical Music.
Please feel free to comment on it or share your thoughts. I will be always happy to read them.
Have a wonderful week.
Comments