Koko News | Arts | 12 May 2026

Adults Rediscover Music at Summer Camps

Asahighschoolstudentinthe1970s, LoriGuesslookedforwardtopackingupheroboeforasummermusiccampinSidney, Maine.

在 1970 年代，高中生洛里蓋斯 (Lori Guess) 盼望著收拾好她的雙簧管，前往緬因州西德尼參加夏季音樂營。

Thelakesidelocationandlooncallsappealedtoher, anditwasachancetoconnectwithkindredspirits.

湖畔的景色和潛鳥的叫聲深深吸引了她，這是一個與志同道合的人交流的機會。

Decadeslater, she’sstillgoingtocampthere.

幾十年過去了，她仍然會去那裡露營。

Aseparatebandprogramwascreatedforadultsin 2013, whereshefeltencouragedtotakeupanotherinstrument:trumpet.

2013 年，學校為成年人開設了一個獨立的樂隊項目，在那裡她受到鼓勵學習另一種樂器：小號。

IwasthrilledbecauseIlovethisplace, saidGuess, 71, ofBaltimore.

「我太激動了，因為我愛這個地方，」71歲的巴爾的摩居民蓋斯說。

Aretiredlawyerforthe U.S. DepartmentofDefense, sheplanstoreturntotheNewEnglandAdultMusicCampinAugust.

她曾是美國國防部的律師，現已退休，並計劃於 8 月重返新英格蘭成人音樂營。

Itisserene, beautiful, aperfectsetting.

這裡寧靜優美，環境完美。

Andit’snotallthatdifferentfromwhatitwas50-someyearsago.

而且，它與50多年前並沒有太大區別。

Whethertheyarelookingtomakefriends, improvetheirskillsorjusttakesometimeoutforthemselvesaftersendingtheirownkidstocampandcollege, adultscanfindavarietyofsummermusicprogramsacrosstheUnitedStates.

無論他們是想結交朋友、提高技能，還是在送自己的孩子去夏令營和大學後想給自己一些時間，成年人都可以在美國各地找到各種各樣的夏季音樂課程。

Theseprogramsincludegenreslikeelectronic, folk, rock‘n’roll, jazz, chamber, andopera.

這些節目涵蓋電子音樂、民謠、搖滾樂、爵士樂、室內樂和歌劇等多種類型。

Formanycampers, itoffersawaytorelivethenostalgicmusicalexperiencesoftheiryouthandmakenewsocialconnections.

對於許多露營者來說，這提供了一種重溫青春時期令人懷念的音樂體驗並建立新的社交聯繫的方式。

Emotionally, makingmusicisgoodforthesoul, saidCaroleLieberman, aCalifornia-basedforensicpsychiatrist.

加州法醫精神病學家卡羅爾·利伯曼表示，從情感上講，創作音樂對靈魂有益。

Itmakesyoufeelcreative, allowsyoutoprovidethemusicyoulikeforyourselfandcanboostyourspirits.

它能激發你的創造力，讓你聆聽自己喜歡的音樂，也能提振你的精神。

Cognitively, researchdemonstratesthatlearningtoplayamusicalinstrumentandplayingithelpsyourbrainmakebetterneurologicalconnections.

認知方面的研究表明，學習演奏樂器並進行演奏有助於大腦建立更好的神經連結。

Itcanhelptowardoffdementia.

它有助於預防癡呆症。

ForGuess, playingmusicisaboutbeinginthatzonewithothermusicians.

對蓋斯來說，演奏音樂就是與其他音樂家一起進入那種狀態。

Whenyou’replayingmusictogether, youriseaboveallthepettinessoflife.

當你們一起演奏音樂時，你們就能超越生活中所有的瑣碎煩惱。

Andit’sjustthemostspiritualthingIcanthinkof.

這是我所能想到的最具精神意義的事情。

Thecampscoverarangeofplayingabilities.

這些訓練營涵蓋了各種程度的球員。

Somelistingsspecifybeginner, intermediate, andadvancedlevels.

有些清單會明確標示初級、中級和高級。

TheInterlochenCenterfortheArtsinMichigan, whereGuessattendedbandcampinmiddleschool, branchedouttoofferavarietyofsummermusicalprogramsforadults.

蓋斯中學時曾參加樂隊夏令營的密西根州因特洛肯藝術中心，如今已拓展業務，為成年人提供各種夏季音樂課程。

In Walla Walla, Washington, theMidsummerMusicalRetreathasgrowntoincludemultipleperformancegroupsforvaryinglevelssinceitbeganin 1983.

在華盛頓州瓦拉瓦拉，自 1983 年創辦以來，仲夏音樂靜修活動已發展壯大，納入了多個不同級別的表演團體。

SusquehannaUniversityinPennsylvaniahoststheBandCampforAdultMusicians, whereplayersatanintermediatelevelandbeyondarecoachedbyretiredmilitarymembersandcollegeprofessors.

賓州的薩斯奎哈納大學舉辦成人音樂家樂隊訓練營，中級及以上的演奏者由退伍軍人和大學教授指導。

Thecamp’sfounderwasinspiredbyhiskids’experienceatbandcamp.

夏令營的創始人受到了孩子們參加樂隊夏令營經歷的啟發。

Nowinits37thseason, manyplayersareretiredandhaveattendedthecamptogetherforyears.

如今已是第 37 個賽季，許多球員已經退役，並且多年來一直一起參加這個訓練營。

Somehavecomewiththeirchildrenandgrandchildren.

有些人帶著子女和孫輩一起來。

Therearealsopeoplewhosoldtheirtubaforacouchincollegesotheycouldhaveacouch, and20 yearslater, it’slike, 'Ineedatubaagain!'

也有些人為了買沙發，在大學時賣掉了自己的大號，結果 20 年後，他們又想：“我又需要一把大號了！”

Inadditiontoconcerts, thecampshavetheirowntraditions.

除了音樂會，這些營地還有自己的傳統。

AttheoneinPennsylvania, everyonegetstogetheronthefirstnightforafamilydinner.

在賓州的那家分店，第一晚大家都會聚在一起吃家庭晚餐。

WallaWallahasacamper-createdsketchcomedynight.

瓦拉瓦拉露營地舉辦由露營者自編自導的喜劇小品之夜。

NewEnglandhascampfiregatheringsandalobsterdinner.

新英格蘭地區有營火晚會和龍蝦大餐。

Campersoftenhaveaccesstootheractivitiessuchaskayaking, yoga, orcocktailhours.

露營者通常也可以參加其他活動，例如皮划艇、瑜伽或雞尾酒會。

Theycanalsoparticipateinopen-micssoloorwithasmallensemble.

他們還可以以個人或小型樂隊的形式參加開放麥克風表演。

Somecampsofferspecialsessionscoveringgenresorinstrumentslikejazz, drumcircles, klezmer, andukulele.

有些夏令營會提供涵蓋爵士樂、鼓圈、克萊茲梅爾音樂和烏克麗麗等音樂類型或樂器的特別課程。

Theyalsohosttalksaboutperformanceanxietyandmusictheory.

他們也會舉辦關於表演焦慮和音樂理論的講座。

LindaHaller, 70, ofNewHampshire, learnedaboutacommunitybandforadultspromoting'musicforlife.'

來自新罕布什爾州的 70 歲的琳達·哈勒了解到有一個面向成年人的社區樂隊，該樂隊提倡“音樂伴你一生”。

Shefeltmotivatedtotrytheclarinetagainafterlastplayingitinhighschool.

她上次吹單簧管還是在高中時期，之後便一直沒有吹奏過，這次她很想再嘗試吹奏單簧管。

I’mgettingtothepointwhereIthinkI’mplayingalmostasgoodasIdidbackthen, shesaid.

她說：“我覺得自己現在的狀態幾乎和當年一樣好了。”

Returningtoaninstrumentlearnedinchildhoodispowerfulbecauseitcombinesmemory, disciplineandrenewedgrowth.

重拾兒時學習的樂器意義非凡，因為它結合了記憶、自律和新的成長。

ThecommunitybandHallerplayswithisaffiliatedwiththeNewHorizonsInternationalMusicAssociation, anonprofitthatprovidesentrypointsforadultstocreatemusic.

Haller 所在的社區樂團隸屬於新視野國際音樂協會，這是一個為成年人提供創作音樂的入門途徑的非營利組織。

Theorganizationcountsover200bands, orchestras, andchorusesfor 10,000 adultmusicianssince 1991.

自 1991 年以來，該組織擁有 200 多個樂隊、管弦樂隊和合唱團，為 10,000 名成年音樂家提供服務。

Itsphilosophyis'Yourbestisgoodenough.'

它的理念是「盡你所能就夠好了」。

NewHorizonsalsosponsorsitsowncamps, includingtripstoEurope.

新視野組織也贊助自己的夏令營，包括前往歐洲的旅行。

Theprogramsarepopular, withtheensembleparticipationrateforadultsover60doubling.

這些項目很受歡迎，60歲以上成年人的合唱團參與率翻了一番。

Hethinksthesocialconnectioniskey.

他認為社交關係至關重要。

That’ssomethingmissingfromalotofpeople’slivesthesedays.

如今，很多人的生活都缺少了這種東西。

Havingaspaceoutsideofthehomewherepeopleconnectisgoodforhealthandaging.

擁有一個家庭以外的空間讓人們交流和互動，對身心健康和老化都有好處。

As a high school student in the 1970s, Lori Guess looked forward to packing up her oboe for a summer music camp in Sidney, Maine.

The lakeside location and loon calls appealed to her, and it was a chance to connect with kindred spirits.

Decades later, she’s still going to camp there.

A separate band program was created for adults in 2013, where she felt encouraged to take up another instrument: trumpet.

I was thrilled because I love this place, said Guess, 71, of Baltimore.

A retired lawyer for the U.S. Department of Defense, she plans to return to the New England Adult Music Camp in August.

It is serene, beautiful, a perfect setting.

And it’s not all that different from what it was 50-some years ago.

Whether they are looking to make friends, improve their skills or just take some time out for themselves after sending their own kids to camp and college, adults can find a variety of summer music programs across the United States.

These programs include genres like electronic, folk, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, chamber, and opera.

For many campers, it offers a way to relive the nostalgic musical experiences of their youth and make new social connections.

Emotionally, making music is good for the soul, said Carole Lieberman, a California-based forensic psychiatrist.

It makes you feel creative, allows you to provide the music you like for yourself and can boost your spirits.

Cognitively, research demonstrates that learning to play a musical instrument and playing it helps your brain make better neurological connections.

It can help to ward off dementia.

For Guess, playing music is about being in that zone with other musicians.

When you’re playing music together, you rise above all the pettiness of life.

And it’s just the most spiritual thing I can think of.

The camps cover a range of playing abilities.

Some listings specify beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

The Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, where Guess attended band camp in middle school, branched out to offer a variety of summer musical programs for adults.

In Walla Walla, Washington, the Midsummer Musical Retreat has grown to include multiple performance groups for varying levels since it began in 1983.

Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania hosts the Band Camp for Adult Musicians, where players at an intermediate level and beyond are coached by retired military members and college professors.

The camp’s founder was inspired by his kids’ experience at band camp.

Now in its 37th season, many players are retired and have attended the camp together for years.

Some have come with their children and grandchildren.

There are also people who sold their tuba for a couch in college so they could have a couch, and 20 years later, it’s like, 'I need a tuba again!'

In addition to concerts, the camps have their own traditions.

At the one in Pennsylvania, everyone gets together on the first night for a family dinner.

Walla Walla has a camper-created sketch comedy night.

New England has campfire gatherings and a lobster dinner.

Campers often have access to other activities such as kayaking, yoga, or cocktail hours.

They can also participate in open-mics solo or with a small ensemble.

Some camps offer special sessions covering genres or instruments like jazz, drum circles, klezmer, and ukulele.

They also host talks about performance anxiety and music theory.

Linda Haller, 70, of New Hampshire, learned about a community band for adults promoting 'music for life.'

She felt motivated to try the clarinet again after last playing it in high school.

I’m getting to the point where I think I’m playing almost as good as I did back then, she said.

Returning to an instrument learned in childhood is powerful because it combines memory, discipline and renewed growth.

The community band Haller plays with is affiliated with the New Horizons International Music Association, a nonprofit that provides entry points for adults to create music.

The organization counts over 200 bands, orchestras, and choruses for 10,000 adult musicians since 1991.

Its philosophy is 'Your best is good enough.'

New Horizons also sponsors its own camps, including trips to Europe.

The programs are popular, with the ensemble participation rate for adults over 60 doubling.

He thinks the social connection is key.

That’s something missing from a lot of people’s lives these days.

Having a space outside of the home where people connect is good for health and aging.