Minot, North Dakota, residents Tim and Christine Baumann have been Directors of the International Music Camp (IMC) at the International Peace Garden south of Boissevain for 10 years, having first each other met at the International Music Camp, and both being on staff now for 18 years. "This is a job, obviously, for both of us, but it feels quite a bit more like a vocation and a calling, just because of the importance of it for the two of us, but also our friends and family that we've made here are just a really important part of this place in our lives," shares Tim.
Over 1200 campers participated in this year's International Music Camp at the Peace Garden.
"It has been an amazing season of operation here," shares Tim. "July, in particular, we have welcomed students from across Canada and the United States for programs in musical theatre, concert band, orchestra, choir, jazz band and visual arts programs. There's just something for everyone," he adds.
In addition to the campers participating in this year's IMC, representatives from 7 different countries also travelled to the Peace Garden to present and participate in a variety of programs. Participants from countries around the globe include Austria and Sweden, the Caribbean and even as far away as Thailand. "So, it's a really cool opportunity to have those cross-cultural connections be formed for our young people and our staff!"
Pre-covid the music camp would have seen close to 2000 campers, however post-covid the numbers continue to rise. "But, yes, this is a huge offering and a huge draw to the area, and we expect enrollment numbers to continue growing back up to post covid numbers."
The music camp also offers drama, two dance programs, a world percussion program, piano, painting and sculpture and even cartooning! "There are just so many different art forms that campers can come and study here at IMC each summer," he says.
All programs are designed to start on Sunday and end the following Saturday afternoon. The final concert for the season takes place on Tuesday, August 1st, showcasing two concerts back-to-back.
Recently, IMC received $15,000 from the Province through the Arts, Culture and Sport in Community Fund for their Indigenous Cultural Aesthetics Program.
"This was one of our new offerings for this year," explains Baumann. "It was an amazing opportunity to work with local tribal elders and learn a little bit more about indigenous culture, and to walk alongside those elders and learn with them and practice with them as they shared viewpoints, understandings, stories, music and the significances of all of those forms of expression within their culture."
"There were several teachers, and future teachers, who were able to participate and really came with the intent of having a better understanding of the students in their classroom and finding out how music, culture, and dance plays a role in the indigenous identity."
The $15,000 grant goes towards the teaching faculty, support staff, food and lodging for this most recent addition to their programming.
For more information and LOTS of pictures of this year's International Music Camp please visit: https://www.facebook.com/internationalmusiccamp/