Booher Camp makes happy music in face of fire

Smoke has not dimmed the enthusiasm or great tunes emanating from the 18th annual Booher Family Music Camp. Next door to the middle school fire camp, at Sisters Community Church, 250 students, guests and top-notch musicians are gathered this week to hone their musical skills.

Students have come from across the United States and even France to practice fiddle, guitar, piano and bass. Their full days of classes culminate with a public performance this Friday.

"We gear the whole week to the Friday night show," said Dolores Booher. "We're preparing these children and adults to perform in public."

Mike and Dolores Booher and their eight grown children, one daughter and seven sons, have toured this county, Canada and Europe delighting audiences with their broad approach to American music. Blending traditional tunes with gospel, swing and cowboy, the Boohers have played before audiences as distinguished as the president of the U.S. and on the public radio program Prairie Home Companion.

"In both of our families, music was really big growing up," said Dolores. So it was natural for the parents to inspire their children with the love of music as dad played piano or a polka on his accordion and mom played records of Slim Whitman and Sons of the Pioneers.

Many large families come to Music Camp, including one California family with 14 children, to learn from the musical Booher family. The students visiting this week include many who have been to camp in past years. Even if they are new to the camp, they won't be strangers for long.

"We become a big family by the end of the week," said Dolores.

Prentice Voetberg came from Washington for the fourth time.

"It's fun and I learn a lot," said Voetberg.

The Boohers are joined by other teachers including piano player Floyd Domino who has performed and recorded with artists such as George Strait and Waylon Jennings. Also, he has played with Asleep at the Wheel and won several Grammy awards.

The Scholarship Fundraiser Concert is open to the public. The show is this Friday, August 4 at 7 p.m. at Sisters Community Church.

Dolores said her hope is that students "go home with the inspiration to play, play, play!"

On Saturday evening, August 5, the Boohers, now scattered throughout Oregon and Texas with their own families, will come together to present their Third Annual Booher Family Reunion Concert. The time and location will depend on fire conditions and availability of facilities.