Additional Information
For me, Cammac is not a music camp, it’s a music center. The artistic director of Cammac, Guylaine Lemaire, thus clearly and unequivocally summarises the expanded role played by the center that has long been called “the Cammac music camp.” Of course, the primary vocation, which is to offer amateur musicians the opportunity to spend a week of artistic immersion under the guidance of teachers from the professional field, remains. But the portion dedicated to the weekly concert series (Musical Sundays) for participants and occasional visitors who come solely for the concerts. I spoke about the 2026 concert series, which will take place from June 28 to August 16, with Guylaine Lemaire.
PanM360: Hello Guylaine. Cammac is an institution with a long history…
Guylaine Lemaire: Indeed. In 2028, we will celebrate our 75th anniversary.
PanM360: Even though the summer concert series isn’t that old, it remains a cherished event.
Guylaine Lemaire: Yes, the audience is increasing, with many people who are not necessarily participants in the intensive camp weeks. It’s very good, because it allows the organization to shine. Moreover, not everyone has the opportunity to invest in learning an instrument and spend a week at camp to improve with a professional teacher. There is also room for those who simply want to come listen to a beautiful concert of about an hour on Sunday morning, and spend the rest of the day in a beautiful place if they wish.
PanM360: And enjoy a brunch while they’re at it!
Guylaine Lemaire: Yes, the concert with brunch package is very popular. The concert is at 11 AM, the brunch follows. For those who want to, of course. You can choose to attend only the concert and then go have a picnic on the site afterwards. It’s very flexible.
INFO AND TICKETS FOR MUSICAL SUNDAYS SERIES
PanM360: Let’s talk about the 2026 series, which runs from June 28 to August 16. As usual, are there generally artists who are also at the camp to teach?
Guylaine Lemaire: Yes, for the most part. This also informs my programming. Since we have several different themes for the eight weeks of camp (chamber music, vocal music, early music, jazz, etc.), the programming also reflects this guideline. Our first concert, on June 28, features Denis Plante on the bandoneon and Stéphane Tétreault on the cello in their show Stradivatango. It’s the beginning of our intensive cello week. Imagine, the day after the concert, the participants will be able to enjoy Stéphane’s presence for the day!
The following week, Francis Colpron will lead the early music workshops. There will therefore be a concert by him with Les Boréades on July 5, The Passion of Reason.
CHECK OUT THE REVIEW OF THE ALBUM STRADIVATANGO BY STÉPHANE TÉTREAULT AND DENIS PLANTE
PanM360: I saw a concert on July 11th with Annette Bauer (on flutes) and Ran Wang, who plays the Chinese guzheng. Silk Road Journals: Echoes from East to West
Guylaine Lemaire: Annette gives flute workshops. I saw that she had this project with Ran, which allows me to broaden the horizons of the series This is also part of CAMMAC’s DNA. The concert on July 19 will be exceptional: the Cobalt Quartet will come to play Schubert and Ravel to conclude the chamber music week they will have led. An important moment of the summer, if I may say so.
I would also like to highlight the following concert (July 26), that of the harpist Annabelle Renzo with the cellist Julian Armour. It will be the concert that concludes the Wellness Week. It’s called Echoes of Peace: Cello and Harp. A very beautiful concept brought to life by Annabelle, who offers year-round musical events related to the idea of well-being, both physical and mental (such as music/yoga concerts, for example, or forest walks). The theme of this year’s concert is hypnosis. Not the kind of hypnosis that’s silly like in illusionist shows, of course. Rather of a meditative and beneficial kind.
PanM360: It will end with three very different concerts…
Guylaine Lemaire: Just like Cammac’s activities! On August 2, the guitarist Michel Beauchamp, a teacher highly appreciated by the participants, will present a program focused on Latin America. Then, on the 9th, it will be jazz’s turn to shine with pianist Guillaume Martineau, who will be joined by Gabriel Paquin-Buki on clarinet. They will explore jazz, of course, but also klezmer rhythms and melodies, in addition to many other things. The title is inviting: A Night in the Garden of Eden
PanM360: Guillaume Martineau is a former Cammac participant, right?
Guylaine Lemaire: Yes. And I am happy to say that it was here that he discovered jazz! He was only doing classical music at the beginning. Then, after workshops with bassist Éric Lagacé, he fell in love with this music. From now on, he plays both classical and jazz.
The Musical Sundays series will conclude on August 16 with a female vocal quartet, consisting of Kerry-Anne Kutz (who will be one of the vocal teachers at the camp), Julie Leblanc, Monique Fauteux, and Catherine Léveillé. They will present a program of popular songs arranged by Simon Leclerc.
PanM360: Thank you for this interview. Have a great summer!
