2026 Brooke Valley Bassoon Days

Otty Lake, near Perth, Ontario, Canada

International Bassoon Retreat for Players of

All Abilities

Welcome to BVBD 2026!

This is our fifth year at Camp Shomria, and as you know if you were with us last year, our location has everything we need—an open dock and lakefront included! (Speaking of swimming, are you lifeguard certified? We’re hiring!)

Last year, 2025, saw another great session at Camp Shomria—our biggest yet—including the continuing growth of our historical bassoon program. It all got high praise: the facility, the staff, and our wonderful faculty. As always, Shomria means plenty of room to make a racket, rehearse the Rackett, or even bat around a racquet during recreation if that’s your thing.

Once again, we’ll have the whole place to ourselves for the week. And, like in 2025, we’ll go from a Monday to a Sunday, with our final concert on August 16th at 11 am.

A week at Brooke Valley Bassoon Days includes:

• small group scales, warm ups and fundamental sessions with a coach
• small ensemble rehearsals with a coach
• daily masterclasses
• private lesson
• reed making and adjusting in the Reed Room
• “Rackett of Bassoons”
• faculty concert
• guided yoga and mindfulness session
• socializing over great meals (3 meals per day + evening snack)
• recreationg (swimming, boating, hiking, etc)
• final concert (Rackett and small ensembles perform)
• stargazing