32 Grassmere Rd.
Brookline, MA, 02467
General
Encore/Coda began in 1950, at the home of founders Ruth & Phil Saltman, in Marblehead, Massachusetts, as an experiment. Lifelong music teachers, they started their summer program with one of Phil’s piano students, and one of Ruth’s voice students. They had a lot of fun that summer, and decided they’d make it an annual event. By 1959, they had 30 students living and studying at their house, and realized they needed to find a bigger site. Ruth and Phil purchased the current Encore/Coda site [which had been Camp Katahdin, est. 1902] in Sweden, Maine and made a new beginning there in 1960: “Camp Encore – for musical boys”. With a small group of boys, they filled up the summer with lots of music, sports, trips, campfires, and fellowship. While the campers learned about music, swimming and sports, Ruth & Phil were getting their education in the many details of being camp directors. They successfully persevered through each new obstacle, and the camp grew every year. In 1969, the camp became coed, and the name was changed to “Camp Encore/Coda – for musical boys and girls”. Camp Encore 1961 – first year in Maine Throughout the 70’s, and 80’s, the camp continued to grow. Followings of campers grew up in the big cities of the east coast, and campers began to come from the south and western states, and Europe. Jamie Saltman grew up at the camp, and continued as a staff member through his college years. Upon finishing graduate school, Jamie went to work full time for the camp, seeking to continue the development Ruth & Phil had begun. Ellen Donohue-Saltman “married into the business” in 1982, and became an important part of the team. Ruth, Phil, Jamie and Ellen worked together until Ruth and Phil retired from active directorship in 1993. Jamie and Ellen are now the camp directors, and their daughter, Hannah is growing up at camp. Thanks to our many talented staff members and campers, the tradition of music and fun that Ruth and Phil established in 1950 continues every summer in the beautiful surroundings of Sweden, Maine. The Music Program includes all kinds of music: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock & Roll, and Music from American Theater. Each camper has 1 ½ hours of private lesson time each week, on either one or two instruments, and may participate in various ensembles and classes. Large ensembles include orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz bands, and vocal groups. Small ensembles include chamber music, jazz combos, and rock bands. Campers perform in and attend many concerts – usually between three and five performances per week, including camper concerts, staff concerts, and guest performances given by visiting professional artists. Music classes include theory, ear training, history, literature, conducting, arranging and composition.