what is sea shanty camp?
Music camps have long been offered as forms of instruction for different styles of music (Celtic, Appalachian, shape note) or specific instruments (banjo, fiddle, mandolin, etc.).
Ferryboat Music sponsors a camp focused on the performance of sea shanties, the traditional work-songs from the age of sail. We believe it is the only camp of its kind in existence. The curriculum will cover the history of sailing vessels; how sailing ships were (and are) operated; and how sea shanties were employed to speed the work and maintain morale.
And we will sing – a LOT!
The first full camp was held in February, 2007 and the second camp in June, 2008. We have also run two one-day "mini-camps", sponsored by the Washington State Parks Department and by a Vancouver Island folk music club. The November camp will be the third iteration of the full camp experience.
This is not simply a "music jam". The faculty of the camp are all professionals who have sailed aboard "Tall Ships". They include the captains of some of America's most historic vessels; experienced shanty-singers from both the US and Canada; a maritime historian and ship design consultant; and a builder of traditional musical instruments.
The classes will include presentations about the instructors' shipboard experiences; practical demonstrations of how shanties corresponded to specific shipboard work; and LOTS of participative singing. There will be plenty of time for questions & answers, and one-on-one discussion opportunities with the staff. The "final exam" will be a shanty concert in which every camper will be given the opportunity to lead "the crew".
The camp will be held at Fort Flagler, a 19th-century artillery fort near Port Townsend, WA. (Port Townsend is itself a historic seaport, and home to the Wooden Boat Festival). Campers will stay in barracks converted to dorm-style rooms. All meals will be prepared and served by our own cook and galley staff . There will be enough open time to explore the fort, the beach, and the town. The registration fee of $350 covers tuition, lodging, and meals. Campers will check in on Friday afternoon, and check out Monday morning of June 20. That will give us two days and three nights dedicated to sea shanties and the lore of the sea.
The Camp Director is Hank Cramer. His first taste of saltwater was crossing the Pacific to Okinawa on the transport USNS Sultan at the age of three. He has served as shantyman aboard Lady Washington; recorded eighteen music CD's; and given concerts for the USS Constellation, USS Constitution, National Maritime Historic Park, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Northwest Seaport, Texas Maritime Museum, and the Mariner's Museum. He is joined by some of the best-known professionals in the fields of tall ships and maritime music.