April
2002
The Wide Angle
Vision Foundation (WAVF) was formed by alumni of the first of Victor Wooten's Bass
Nature Camps (BNC), held in September 2000. Participants in the camp were so moved by the
experience that they wanted to help Victor Wooten in his mission to educate other
musicians about how nature and music are related to each other.
The mission of the WAVF
is to provide financial assistance to musicians seeking to further their understanding of
music's relationship to the world around them, and to provide aid and assistance to BNC in
it's pursuit of same.
To this end, WAVF has
collected money from alumni of both the first and second camps to provide a scholarship
for the April 2002 camp.
Contributors and their
comments are as follows:
| Carolyn
"Snow" Bartley: I showed up at BNC 2001 with a
dinky little bass, knowing how to play a major scale and a consuming need to learn.
I walked out a bass player. If that was the only thing I learned at bass camp it
would have been more then enough. I had no idea what the rest of the experience
would do for me, the good lessons and the harder ones. The hardest ones of all were about
me. BNC has accelerated the process of changing my life from the foundation
up. From my spiritual outlook to my job, from the dicipline of lessons to my
relationships, nothing is the same. I will carry this experience with me
throughout the rest of my life. BNC also brought me my wonderful teacher, Anthony
Wellington. I will be forever grateful to Victor and Holly, and their wonderful
staff (and oh that food). |
| Maria
"Pete" Durgan: I can think of no better way to express how
much the Bass/Nature camp meant to me than to support a scholarship fund. I gained
so much -- in this small way, I feel like I'm helping Victor spread the joy. I hope
everyone has a great time, learns a lot, opens up more to the world around us, and then
plays music with their biggest heart! |
Brian Kobayakawa: Thanks to all involved with BNC
for being a constant, positive, inspirational influence on my musical career. To Vic and
Holly, to all the
staff, to the campers I've met, and those I'm yet to meet, be well one and all. |
| Johan Hansen
Larsen: Sends
regards to all. |
| Kit LeBlanc: Words don't do it justice so to attempt to
expound would only minimize the reality of the experience. But the best way to
describe it is to say that camp for me is simply about love....in all it's diverse and
creative expressions. |
| Earl Matthews: The wootcamp did so many things
for me that to mention everything would take many pages. Much like John Spaldings comments
- I approach life from a different perspective. I am more aware of all that is
around me. I see more and here more than ever before. I know now what I want
to do when I grow up. Thanks to Woot Camp! I've always known what I
want. Now I can do it. My whole life has changed - I don't work a
corporate job anymore. That job took life and energy away from my playing. I am now
teaching guitar and bass. Since camp I have taken on about 25 students. I am living
music. Everyday I play and practice and prepare for my guitar students. What a
thrill to be able to pass along things I've learned over the years. It keeps me on
my toes to say the least. When I'm not teaching, I am playing and writing with
friends. I play in church and occasional gigs. My other project at the moment is
rebuilding my recording studio (sound proofing and hard wiring). Soon I'll be able
to get back to recording and producing music. When I finish the renovation I'm going
to put a sign on the door - It will read "Heaven". |
| Steve Marko
Markowitz: Can
I put what Bass Camp means to me in words? As they say on "Name That Tune," I
can do it in four words!. At first I thought I was going there to learn all sorts of bass
licks and chops. I may have learned a few but they became secondary to me in the
following weeks and months. If I had to put a finger on the single most important
lesson I learned it was one where I was not even holding a bass guitar. "I can
do it!" That's it in a nutshell! I can find my way through the woods
barefooted stepping on fire ants. I can find my way following only a sound. I can
eat spaghetti blindfolded. I can make fire. And I can be the on call bassist for any
music function that the churches in my area may need! This has not happened yet, but
it will. I can do it! I can also help to make this lesson available to
another person who may not be able to afford the tuition. |
Steve Mays: Bass Camp offers a unique chance to look into the minds of
some world class bass players and see what inspires them to create their music, and
then see and use that inspiration in your own music. As you are doing this with 50 other
people, you can also learn from and teach them things that probably wouldn't occur to you
or them. At the end of camp, a whole new world of possibilities is open to you if you want
it. And it's a lot of
fun! |
| John
Spaulding: One of the Bass Camp mantras is
that you will leave a much different person than you arrived. So true!
The feelings Bass Camp generated within me transcend music, nature and self. Every
day I encounter life differently than I did before. Thank you Vic, Holly, Steve,
Adam, Jim, Anthony, all the staff and all the other campers for this new life. I am
a little jealous of new campers who get to experience this for the first time, but I know
you will connect with us "alums" through the vibrations we all send (and will
send forever!) Embrace and enjoy your experience! |
| Sarah Ternoway: Sends regards to all. |
| Brenda Trammell: If you are at Bass Camp now, it’s
no accident. You have something unique to contribute to the group - even if you have no
idea what that might be. This is a safe and nurturing place in which to sharpen your
senses, challenge your assumptions, and risk looking at yourself differently. Bass Camp
opens up a window; it’s your choice to see if you want to explore what’s
outside. Your job is to keep your mind and heart open, so you can find (and take back with
you) what’s right for you now. |
| Samantha Wilder: Sends
regards to all. |
| John Yates: Thanks for opening a door. It is an
honor to ripple from Bass/Nature Camp and be able to contribute to the magic. |
The Wide Angle Vision
Foundation is working to prepare a CD of original works of campers. The proceeds will
support future Bass/Nature Camps. It should be released before the end of 2001. For more
information, visit www.wavf.org. We are interested in
hearing from all campers and welcome their participation and support.
Peace, Love, Music
and Wide Angle Vision to everyone! |
