Midsummr Musical Retreat Society

Over the last thirty years, the Midsummer Musical Retreat Society has offered an annual Midsummer Musical Retreat (MMR) currently held at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. The week-long retreat has grown from approximately thirty-five campers to 220 musicians representing diverse and under-served populations from the Pacific Northwest, across the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Scotland and Australia. At MMR, musicians rehearse in orchestra, band, string orchestra, chorus, jazz big band, and chamber ensembles in a hospitable “Retreat” atmosphere. Afternoon workshops focus on playing/singing music of modern American composers, traditional African and Western music, African drumming techniques, barbershop quartet, and jazz improvisation. The strength of MMR lies at the exciting intersection of its committed, supportive, professional faculty, challenging repertoire, and enthusiastic campers. The workshop culminates in performances by the orchestras, band, and chorus as well as chamber groups that are open to the public. Participants’ families often travel to Walla Walla for the retreat.
Campers include college students and adult amateur musicians. The MMR Board includes representatives of underserved populations and demonstrates its value of diversity, equity, and inclusion through its deep commitment to providing equal opportunities and treatment to all of participants and staff. Scholarships are offered to encourage participants of underserved populations to attend and to musicians who cannot afford to attend. As stated in MMR policy, all decisions are designed to support participants regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran, military, marital status, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.