VIMW 2007 Was Another Great Success!

According to VIMW board member Heather Wilkinson (who is not biased at all):

"A great time was had by all, so far as I could tell and by all accounts. In fact, I'd say it was just a wonderful experience from beginning to end. Thanks for making it possible, fellow board members! what a delightful thing we have created. Momentous moments for me included: Ali's song, Dale's song, Gran's Pirate song, Rueben Gurr, the energy, knowledge and fun that he brought, Barry Trutor's class and the night of singing after the concert with Barry and Lainie and others in the main hall, walking (or was it more like floating) back to the covered wagons with Lainie commenting on the stars and how strange it was that everyone had gone to bed. after all it was only 3:30. Just being with everyone, some of whom go back almost 30 years for me, looking around and seeing faces from different times and places who have come to make music together. Not to mention the apple pie and the great meals."

Click here for photos.

Vancouver Island Music Workshop 2007

This page contains the information which advertised the September 2007 workshop. Information on the 2008 workshop is on the VIMW main page.

Instructors and Courses 2007

Where and when? 2007

Seven Springs Resort

VIMW will be held at Seven Springs Resort, a beautiful facility in the country at Nanoose Bay, about three miles south of Parksville B.C. on the weekend of September 7-9, 2007.

How will the weekend at VIMW be structured? 2007

It will start with dinner of soup and sandwiches at about 6:00pm on the Friday night. At about 8:00pm there will be a demonstration concert by the instructors who will “strut their stuff” and explain what they will teach in their classes. Ad hoc jamming will then start all over the resort until about 10:00 when we’ll stop for gourmet snacks in the lunch room. After that, jamming will go on until the wee hours.

On Saturday morning, if they choose to do so, students can sign up to perform in the concert on Saturday night. They can sing solo or form groups according to their choice and ask our wonderful instructors to back them up (a not-to-be-forgotten experience). After breakfast the classes in the first topic chosen by the students from the previous evening’s offerings by the instructors, start at 9:30 and go until 11:30. Classes will be held in the afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 on a second subject chosen by the students. A two hour class on Sunday morning will complete the instruction started on Saturday morning and a two hour class on Sunday afternoon will complete the instruction started on Saturday afternoon.

After class on Saturday afternoon there is a rest period until 6:00 (usually jamming time unless you can resist it) when a dinner of delicious food will be served and at 7:00 there will be the students’ concert. It is just not possible to find a more supportive and appreciative audience whether you’re a beginning or seasoned performer. After the concert, snacks are served in the dining room and then there’s more jamming until the wee hours.

What if I choose a course, realize I’ve made a mistake and should have taken another one?

No problem. Just go to another one. Your first choice does not mean you’re stuck with it.

What are the facilities like at VIMW? 2007

The sleeping accommodation ranges from log cabins to dormitory bunk beds, bunk beds in 13 covered wagons in two circles (each circle with its own shower and toilet facility), tenting and recreational vehicle spaces (bring your own in the latter two cases, of course).

What does it cost? 2007

The cost for eight hours of group musical instruction, a fabulous concert, jamming until your fingers fall off or your voice gives out, accommodation and gourmet food (six meals and two major snacks) is C$260. The cost is the same whether you choose any of our five modes of accommodation: cabins, dormitories, wagons, tenting and RVs. There are no rooms dedicated for couples. Some sleeping accommodations will be designated as quiet areas for those who need their sleep more than they need to jam.

What do I bring to VIMW? 2007

Bedding/sleeping bag, tent if you’re tenting, towel, toiletries, flashlight, raincoat and umbrella (just in case), instrument(s), spare strings, capo if necessary, pen, pencil and paper, a pair of very good ear plugs (if lots of sleep is high on your agenda because the jamming often goes on until the wee hours), and your body all rested up (we’re not kidding-you’ll need it well rested when you come to VIMW, for sure) and ready to make music for hours on end. We’ll do our best to have a quiet sleeping area but there’s so much music to be made that it’s not always possible to have a super quiet sleeping area.

Can I bring amplified instruments to VIMW? 2007

We respectfully ask our students and instructors at the camp not to bring amplified instruments with the exception of electric pianos. This is because the “spill” of sound between teaching areas will disrupt classes being taught nearby and nearby jamming. Sorry.

So, what do I get at VIMW for my money? 2007

At the camp you’ll get:

  1. A home made soup (no Campbell’s for us) and sandwich dinner on Friday night (vegetarian and omnivorous choices are available).
  2. Gourmet snacks at about 10:00pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
  3. Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
  4. Eight hours of instruction in a variety of areas by instructors, many of whom are professional musicians.
  5. A concert that you’d pay for elsewhere.
  6. A chance to make more music than you’ve possibly made in a long time with a host of other musical fanatics just like you and,
  7. A chance to join a musical community in which friendships are made that last a lifetime.

How do I sign up for VIMW? 2007

Send your registration form and a cheque or money order for C$260 to VIMW, 2935 Muir Rd., Courtenay B.C., V9N 6A2. Sorry, credit and debit cards are not accepted. When we get your registration and cheque(s) or money order(s) in Canadian funds only we’ll send you a receipt and directions to Seven Springs. Post dated cheques (for the information of US readers: these are legal in Canada) dated less than two months from the date of the event will not be accepted. For the financially challenged, the fee can be paid in three installments of C$100, C$100 and C$60 with the last one dated not later than 8 July 2007. We’re sorry but telephone registrations cannot be accepted as the only thing that secures a place at the workshop is a written registration on the attached form accompanied by a cheque (or cheques or money orders) as noted above. When we receive your registration and cheque(s), we’ll send you a receipt by email (or as a last resort by snail mail) with directions to the camp.

Cancellation policy 2007

Cancellations received by 8 August 2007 will receive a full refund less a $25 administration fee. Those received by 23 August will receive a 50% refund, those received by 31 August 2006 will receive a 25% refund and after that no refund will be given.

The Directors and Organizers 2007

The Board of Directors and organizers of VIMW are:

Getting Here 2007

BC Ferries to Victoria, Nanaimo, Comox.

Coho Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria.

Island Link Bus service

Laidlaw Coach Lines - on Vancouver Island (no web site)
Phone (250) 385-4411 - Victoria; (250) 334-2475 - Courtenay; or 1-800-318-0818 (Canada/US)

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