Fountainview Academy Masters Class with Jamie Jorge:
We left for BC Canada on May 20th 2008 at 7:00 a.m. We arrived in Canada at about 1:00 p.m. Going across the boarder was not that much of an hassle, it actually went pretty quickly.
As you enter Canada, one thing that is apparent, is that they read there speed by Kolomometers, instead of MPH like we do here in the USA. And there speed signs hang by a hook on a small, skinny-like pole.
Fountainview Academy, is approx. 4 hours from the boarder. So we didn’t arrive at the Academy until about 4:30 p.m. The roads are vary narrow and curvy it’s a wonder that they can even get the buses there. :) The buses would actually take up both sides of the lanes at times, and so they’d honk their horn to warn others of there coming. It was interesting, but that’s what they do all the time when traveling from the Academy.
When we arrived it was a beautiful sight. We parked and got settled in and then we went and registered. At this time, there were not that many that had arrived yet. There were quite a few kids that were on there way from Seattle, and they didn’t get there until 9:00p.m. After we registered, we got a tour of the school land, and building. It’s pretty neat! The Academy is on 100 acres. It’s totally amazing. At 6:00, we then went for supper, then went to bed for the night, for Wednesday promised to be fully scheduled. We were blessed to be able to stay at the Corrigan’s house while at the Academy. They were so gracious and it was nice of them to let us stay. It was fun getting to know them. They’re a neat family!
On Wednesday, we awoke bright and early. It was a little chilly as always in BC Canada, in the early mornings. But the skies were clear, and it was a promise of a beautiful day!!!
How glorious. We ate breakfast then had worship in the schools auditorium. After that we went for sectional rehearsals. I was in the same class as the third violins, because it is viola simplified. So we had 2 hours of that, then we had a 2 hour full rehearsal. Then we had 1 ½ hours of lunch and socialization time, and then 2 hours of sectional rehearsal time again. Then after that, we had an hour for an outdoor hike/walk. Or you could stay behind and rest or practice your music.
I decided to go on the hike down to the Fraser River. I’m glad I did. When we were almost down to the river, 3 male deer came charging out of the brush right, across from us. At that time, my camera battery died, so I was not able to get a picture of them. :( oh well. When we came back from the hike we had a 2 hour full rehearsal again, and then we had 1 hour and 15 minutes for supper, then we gathered in the auditorium, for Jaime Jorge’s music and testimony. Which was about an hour long, then we had an hour of sectional rehearsals before heading of to bed. Whew! Now tell me. Does that sound like a busy day, or what?
We had to get in all the practicing we could ‘cause we were going to be going on tour at 10:00 a.m. on Friday morning. As you can imagine, to get 127 kids loaded on the buses with all there things is quite a chore, so were weren’t gone until about an hour after schedule. Once loaded, we headed 4.05 hours to Oliver SDA church. On the way there was this really bad accident, where a car had flipped over on it’s top, and there was a guy about 50 feet away who was bleeding terribly. There was a trail of blood from the car all the way to where he was on the pavement. And some say they saw a head of another victim who was still trapped inside the car. Since this is way out in the middle of now where, paramedics weren’t there ‘till 15 minutes later. We felt very sad, but the whole bus prayed for them. So that delayed us for about 30 minutes but the other bus got delayed an hour. They wouldn’t let anyone by when the police and paramedics arrived. It was a really bad accident.
We arrived safely in Oliver, and while waiting for the other bus to arrive, we played dare-base. It was fun!!! An hour later, the other bus finally arrived, we had supper, then got ready for the concert. After the concert, we loaded up and headed up the road for about an hour drive to Kelowana, where we stayed at an hotel. We were tired and slept well.
Sabbath morning we loaded for Okanagan Mini Campmeeting, about 30 minutes away. Our performances were interspersed with other performances that they had planned. After the church service we had a picnic lunch, and then went on a hike. In the evening we did a full concert with Jamie Jorge.
Sunday morning, we loaded up and drove the First United Church. The Orchestra filled the who front of the church and spread into the front row. We played several songs there and enjoyed the fellowship of the people there before we had to head off to our final destination.
After the church service we loaded for the Kettle Valley Railroad, 1 ½ hours away. First we had a farewell picnic, then we went on the train. This was really fun!!! There was the option of sitting in the covered section of the train towards the front, or you could sit towards the rear in of the train where it was uncovered. We chose to sit in the very back of the train. You could see a whole lot better, and also the breeze was refreshing.
In conclusion I must admit, that the saddest part of the Masters Class, is the end-when you have to go home. :( There’s no denying that one. But I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to attend the Masters Class and for the opportunity to meet and get to know Jaime Jorge.
C
