Mountains and Music Committee | A Typical Weekend | Our History
Instrumentalists arrive Friday afternoon with all kinds of outdoor gear and an assortment of orchestral instruments – everything from violins to French horns – eager to join together in making music and outdoor activities. Hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing (depending on the season) is right out the door.
After Friday dinner, instrumentalists are assigned to small ensembles, giving them an opportunity to meet the other players and to get started playing music right away playing. Sometimes players double on parts to help those less familiar with playing chamber music. Many play music that is new to them, while some look forward to playing old favorites, using either music in our library or music from their personal libraries. Some musicians opt to stay up and play chamber music long before turning in for the night.
Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday morning, groups form and then reorganize into different ensembles. A group of strings could be playing a Beethoven quartet, while at the same time in another space, woodwinds are rehearsing a Reicha quintet. Built into the schedule there are breaks from playing music – to hike or, if there is snow, to cross country ski, snowshoe or take a mountain bike ride. However some musicians are indefatigable and play music from breakfast until dinner, stopping only for delicious meals provided by the Brattleboro Coop. On Saturday evening the whole group gathers for a “Coffee House,” at which time individuals and groups perform a few short pieces.