Booher family music camp a hit

Floyd Domino teaches piano and interacts with his class

at the Booher Family Music Camp.

Musicians from near and far came to Sisters last week for the the 13th annual Booher Family Music Camp, held at the Sisters Community Church.

Brendan Booher, age 20, was in charge of this year's event.

"This was our first year having it in Sisters," he noted. "We've always had it in the Valley, but the change of venue worked well. It's a fantastic facility, and very professional."

Older brother Rudi agreed, saying, "We have people coming to this camp from all over the country (Alaska, Missouri, California, Texas) and there's a lot for them to do and see in Sisters and the surrounding area."

The purpose of the camp, according to Brendan, "is to provide a place for kids and adults to play and enjoy music together in a godly atmosphere."

Rudi noted that the idea for a week-long music camp belonged to Dolores, the matron of the family. When it started 13 years ago it was "a fiddle camp, but when people brought their guitars and other instruments, we said, 'where are we going to put them?'" explained Rudi.

This year's camp had about 75 students of all ages and ability levels register to take classes in various instruments. The fiddle is still the featured instrument; four fiddle classes were offered, ranging from beginner to advanced.

Additionally, two piano classes (intermediate and advanced), two guitar classes (intermediate and advanced), one acoustic string bass class, and one yodeling class were offered.

The students stay in their classes, while the teachers rotate.

The featured fiddle instructors included Tricia Ferguson, from Redding, California, who won the National Junior Fiddle Championship when she was 11 years old and who, according to Dolores Booher, is "phenomenal with the kids"

Randy Elmore, six time Texas State Fiddling Champ and twice the World Fiddling Champ, was also on hand.

According to Rudi Booher, Elmore is "one of the best studio musicians in the country."

Teaching guitar was Dick Gimble, who is known for his sense of humor. He teaches at McLennan Community College near Waco, Texas and has performed and recorded with Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Charlie Pride, Tom T. Hall, and others.

Teaching piano was six time Grammy award winner and former Asleep At the Wheel keyboardist Floyd Domino.

"We've had the same teachers come to our camp for seven years now," noted Dolores. "They are so talented."

The Boohers also got in on the teaching act, as Meriwyn oversaw fiddle and yodeling, Ben lent his expertise to the acoustic string bass, and Brendan instructed in fiddle, as did Rudi (1990 National Fiddle Champion).

"We rotate teachers, and that way, the students get exposed to a wide variety of techniques and styles," Brendan explained

It was a demanding schedule. After breakfast, classes were held every morning for five days from 9 a.m. until noon, with a short break thrown in. Classes resumed after lunch from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p. m.

Jam sessions were the evening's activity and entertainment from 7 p.m. until whenever, with a good bit of country dancing thrown in.

The classes prepared for the performance on the final evening, when a concert for the public was the featured event. Each class was showcased.

"While the students this year were a little younger on average than in past years, the musical aptitude of these kids is incredible," said Rudi. "The kind of people who send kids to this camp are highly involved in their kids' lives.

"Many are home schoolers, and we almost never have any problems with them. They are so well-behaved."

One family that made the pilgrimage to camp was the Voetbergs from Centralia, Washington.

Joe and Lisa have 10 children, six of whom were students at the music camp.

"They all started musically by playing the piano, and have since branched out," said Joe. "Jobe, age 17, plays piano, guitar, and cello; Brice, age 15, plays piano, violin and viola; Liddy, age 13, plays piano, violin and fiddle; Ellisha, age 10 plays piano and fiddle; Annie, age eight, plays piano and fiddle, and Lilja, age six, just got started on the fiddle.

"This is our first year at camp, and we love it," he continued. "We didn't know what to expect, but we came with high hopes. Those hopes have been exceeded."

The Boohers don't make money on the camp. They do it for the passion of music.

"It's nice not to lose money," said Rudi, "but proceeds from the concert go to camp scholarships for needy students next year. It costs a lot of money to go to camp and to put this on (about $400 per camper, less with a family discount)."

When asked their assessment of the camp, Brendan, Rudi, and Dolores agreed: "Best one yet."