Quebec City Retreat Recap!
We've all packed up and boarded our (very delayed) flights home, so it feels like the perfect time to look back on the incredible time we spent together in Quebec City.
This is the 4th international retreat Drunken Fiddles has hosted and it feels like they just get better and better each time. It's hard to recreate the magic that happens when people are able to step out of their day-to-day lives and connect over a shared love of music. What a gift that we can do this together!
The Monastery
This year, our group gathered at Le Monastère des Augustines in the heart of Quebec City. This unique property was founded nearly *400* years ago by three nuns sent to the new territory by France to establish a religious center and hospital. We had the pleasure of playing most of our sessions in the vault of the building, which had served as an extension of the hospital over the years - especially in times of war. Rumors of potentially supernatural activity in the space were perhaps confirmed when upon playing a song common among French soldiers during one of Britain's sieges of the city, a matching "G" note came out of the otherwise quiet speakers! We'll just say this added to the overall experience...
The Sessions
One of the early highlights of the retreat came on Night 1, when Quebecois music expert Liette Remon joined us to share about the tradition that has been part of her family for generations. Her session focused on techniques for learning by ear and our participants came away with the ability to play a traditional tune.
Later Jeremy Harman, cello aficionado and Associate Professor of Cello at Berklee College of Music, joined to lead a session that challenged participants to improvise within the framework of scales. It was amazing to watch each person step out of their comfort zone to try a solo in front of the group!
The Drunken Fiddles team, led by founder Laurel Morgan, led multiple jams and a deep dive on the history of Quebecois music. We were even lucky enough to observe a traditional session in a local pub.
Adventures
Staying at the monastery also provided some unique experiences. For the last 400 years, nuns have been in residence and have sung vespers every morning at 7:30 am. The facility has changed hands recently and the final three remaining nuns are in the process of moving out. Our stay happened to coincide with their final morning and several participants had the chance to attend.
We ducked through low doorways, held on for dear life walking down staircases from the 1700s, and came away with the benefits of the extremely healthy, vegetable-forward menu. (Looking at you, Raspberry and Beet soup...)
Community
Perhaps the most special experience was simply the community that formed among the group. On the last night, per tradition, we had a showcase where participants were able to share solos and group pieces. The pure support that was shown as people shared was such a reflection of what Drunken Fiddles is all about. We learn together, we support each other, and always foster a space that's safe to put yourself out there. What memories were made and we already can't wait for 2027! Stay tuned!!!
