Just got the newsletter from Summerkeys for the 2013 session. If you are not familiar with Summerkeys it is an adult summer music camp in Lubec, Maine. They have updated their web page too.

New this year is a "piano trio privilege" option. Two faculty members will play with you everyday and then perform a piano trio. The repertoire you can choose from includes Haydn, Beethoven and others. See the website for details.

It's too early to tell if I can go this year - if I can somehow swing it I will. I have no connection with Summerkeys, just a satisfied customer. I wrote a report about my trip a couple of years ago that you can read here.

Sam

I've been wanting to do this since you told us your story two years ago. I'm trying to arrange to be there the first week in July. The vacation time, plane fares, lodging and entry to Summerkeys must all align.

I think we should all go to this as it sounds like a ton of fun. We could play piano, eat lobster, play more piano, eat more lobster, play more piano and then eat even more lobster.

We could all stay at Peytons place too (for free). Plus, he will cook us all delicious meals every evening. (He doesn't know about this yet, but I'll talk to him).

Sam, in all seriousness, I wish we had something like this near us as it does sound like a great time. Lots of us like to read your write up that you do on it each year. More pics are mandatory this year too.

....yea right. Bring your tent.

For me it's one of those "So close and yet so far" things. My art shows go from May till October and I'm pretty much straight out. If ever things mellow out (and I start actually making money again) I plan to do Summerkeys.

SH, I'm not close enough to "stay with". I'm a good three hours from Lubec. I do have a friend with a house right there on the water so I could stay with her. I'd have to see about tent space for you...

It's SERIOUS now! We have plane tickets and a rental house for a week in Lubek. Now Summerkeys just needs to accept my application. Would LOVE it if more PW folks were there. We really could party.

I think FarmGirl is going sometime summer 2013 - not sure when.

Sam

Yep. I'm gonna go around the 1st part of July. I tried to get my hubby going together but he would not go with me. Is anyone going around 7/4?

I'm going the week of July 22. First time for me, and I'm really looking forward to it.

I am an avid, avid, avid reader. I post infrequently, but that's just usually how I am! I read Sam's narrative before and thought this would be a great opportunity! Do the spots fill quickly? I am pretty new to piano but practice daily... I have been playing for two or three years. Is this a program for beginners?

There are no admission requirements and it is open to all levels. Even absolute beginners are welcome. The two times that I have been there are always people of every playing level, not only on piano, but the other instruments too.

I think that the weeks after the middle of July are the busiest. I have only been the last week of July, and there are so many people the Friday "recital" takes quite a while. If you look at the number of piano teachers for this year, they have more after 7/8 through August.

By the way, for you really good players, if you want to study with a Julliard trained teacher, go when Charles Jones is there and see if you can request him as your teacher. I have heard him play recitals twice, and he is just a wonderful player. My lessons have always been with Greg Biss, and he is a fantastic teacher, full of energy and very knowledgeable.

Sam

Farm girl I just sent off my deposit and app for July 1-4 at Summerkeys. Hope to meet you there. We had a piano party last night and played Christmas music. My teacher played a superb arrangement of Claire de lune mixed with Silent Night...just beautiful. I played a piano arrangement (Mark Hayes) of Brightest and Best...a piece I'd never heard before. It is an old folk piece from Kentucky apparently.

Oh WiseBuff and FarmGirl - what a great deal! Have a great time!

Cathy

I just registered for the week of 8/25. It may be very very crowded though. Is there any other person going at the same time? I opted for a class for two pianos four paws. Have Mozart sonata for two pianos in D in mind.

I went to Summerkeys for the first time last year. I plan to go either the last week in June or the first week in July. I also have a friend that is going with me this year that also plays the piano.
Judy

Oh! Sam, did you realize you got a lesson from the uncle of Jonathan Biss! Did u know that? I just saw Jonathan Biss at the Carnegie Hall.

Yes, that is cool isn't it? I have no idea if the uncle ever gave the nephew a lesson. If he did then I could say that I had the same teacher as Jonathan Biss!

Greg Biss's mother was also a famous cellist, which would be Jonathan's grandmother. The whole family is musical.

But this year I'll have a different teacher at Summerkeys since I am going so early - no idea who...

Sam

I'm thinking longly of Summerkeys right now but know with my job sich and family obligations, it's not to be.

Jonathan's grand mother was not just a good celloist but an incredibly famous one. Samuel Barber composed cello music for her. Quite a family!

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raya_Garbousova#section_1

Sam,
I went the first week last year and had Bruce as my teacher. There were only 4 of us so he taught us all. I am going the last week in June this year and requested Bruce since I was so happy with him as a teacher. You can request a teacher and they try to honor the requests. If you do have Bruce, I would be interested to hear what you think. During the first week last year, there were only about 35 people in the church for the performance class and it was very low key. I usually dread performing but I found it to be less stressful than where I take during the year.
I noticed they have added violin and viola in June this year so there may be more people. I am counting the days till I go. Thanks again for your reports since that is how I found out about Summerkeys.

Judy