2007 Schedule

The 2008 Song School schedule will be published here in early summer. You will receive a final schedule in your Song School folder at registration. In the meantime, here is last year's schedule to give you a feel for the organization of the Song School.

Sunday, August 12th

Catie Curtis Class at the 2005 Song School

2:00pm – Campgrounds Open

2:30-6:00pm – Student Registration

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Monday, August 13th

Vance Gilbert workshop

Daily To Do List

8:00-9:00am – Student check in time

Visit us at the Blue Heron Tent and pick up your packet, wristband, hat, official Song School laminate, and other goodies. Sign up for mentoring sessions. There will be coffee, tea and muffins waiting each morning at 8:00 as well...

8:00am – Morning Movement & Stretching

Annie Wenz will help celebrate the morning by leading gentle yoga, tai chi & dance based movement, stretching & breathing exercises. No prior experience necessary. (Meet in front of silo.)

9:00am – Orientation

Official welcoming; we’ll cover logistics, put the program in perspective, introduce instructors, and get you prepared for the week. Please be there.... (Wildflower Pavilion)

9:15–10:15am – Opening Session; Song School Community Sing

“Walking thru the door is the only audition.” In this opening session, Moira Smiley will lead an all group harmonic convergence that will have all of us resonating in time and in tune for the week ahead. (Wildflower Pavilion)

10:30–12:30pm – Electives

  1. Directed Writing with Paul Reisler - Twenty years ago, a friend gave me the best advice I've ever heard regarding songwriting.  He told me to get up every morning and write a song, complete it, and put it in a file folder and not look at it for 6 months.  Not a good song or a long song necessarily, just a song. Two years and several hundred songs later, I realized that I had not only learned a lot about the craft of songwriting, but a great deal about how to generate ideas and images and carry them through, how to dance around writers block and how to fool myself into approaching my writing in a fresh way each day.  We'll be writing in a very directed way that will give you the tools to write on a daily basis.  This is a multi-day workshop that is progressive.  We will not take new people after the 2nd day. (Wildflower Pavilion)

  2. “If you’re not failing every now and again it’s a sign that you’re not trying anything very innovative.”
    –Woody Allen

    Song Sessions with Steve Seskin - The focus of these sessions will be an in depth look at the participants songs, hopefully turning each song into teachable moments that will benefit the writer as well as the other participants. We'll spend time identifying what's good and what could be even better. This session is open to as many people as wish to attend, but the emphasis will not be on getting to a song written by each person as much as everyone learning something from the songs we do get to. I imagine we'll look at 4 or 5 songs each morning. I prefer that people play live so we can more easily try some different things especially when it comes to melody and phrasing. I will offer this class on three mornings and it's fine to attend one or all the sessions.   (Mountain Lion Tent)

  3. Performance with Julie Portman: Session 1 - “Every song is a story. Every performer is a storyteller.”  When you think of your songs as stories and your performance as storytelling, you open a big door and free up a lot of creative juices. You get a whole new perspective on what you’re doing as a songwriter, singer and performer. These three performance sessions will look at the songs you sing and the way you deliver your songs through the lens of story. The sessions build on each other and combine exercises with plenty of opportunities to perform. You can come to one session or to all of them. Session 1 - Monday - Getting your arms around your story; singing it and telling it. Session 2 - Tuesday  - What is the story in your song? How do you get inside the story of your song?  Session 3 - Wednesday  - How do you get your story across to your audience? What story is the audience hearing?  (Festival Main Stage)

  4. Capo Envy - Obsessive Capo Disorder - Have you ever seen artists using multiple or partial capos and wondered "What on earth are they doing!?"  Chances are you've been stricken by partial capo envy.  This workshop will introduce the keys to understanding how to use both the Kyser "Drop-D" and "Shortcut" capos in standard tuning.  It's easier than it looks!  You will learn a simple way to use single or multiple partial capos to enhance your guitar sound and apply it to songs you've already written or songs to come using chords you already know.  Handouts will be provided and partial capos are available for use and purchase at the workshop.  There will also be time to share your discoveries and get feedback from Justin and the group.  Some guitar experience is necessary, but this workshop is open to beginners as well as seasoned players. With Justin Roth. (Hummingbird Tent)

  5. Songwriting with Darrell Scott: Part 1 - In the tradition of the mentor/student relationship, Darrell is offering a four part workshop open to students you have previously submitted their songs to help familiarize him with each persons work and for all to hit the ground running. See list posted in Blue Heron Tent. (Trout Tent)

  6. How To Sell Your Music Without Selling Your Soul - This workshop begins with identifying your music mission (what your music offers to others) which provides a guide for clarity of purpose, decision-making, and for staying positive during difficult times. We’ll also discuss dealing with gremlins like competitiveness, fear, and doubt; explore the differences between selling yourself and marketing; and share a dozen ways to increase CD sales. All topics will be examined with one goal in mind: staying true to who you are so you can work in the music industry with honesty and integrity.  Facilitated by Terri Mazurek, a social worker-turned-booking agent; and Ellis, a full-time touring artist.  (Lizard Tent)

  7. Physicality of Singing - The theater of our stories and songs is SEEN & FELT by our listeners.  What tools do we have to convey our stories just with our bodies, our culture of gestures, the masks of our faces?  Exercises for the singing body will be used to enhance your songwriting and performing powers. With Moira Smiley. (Trout Tent)

12:30–1:30pm – Lunch Break

Confirm open stage performance times posted in Blue Heron Tent.  

1:30-4:00pm – Creative Songwriting Groups: Session 1

The first of four daily songwriting sessions with instructors Steve Seskin*, Vance Gilbert, Mary Gauthier,  Paul Reisler**, Catie Curtis, Zoe Lewis*** and Peter Himmelman. This session lasts until 4pm. Instructors will meet at the same location (mostly) each day as noted below. Where applicable, signup for these groups will take place at the Blue Heron Tent (registration tent) at 9:00 am. An additional offering will be included each day as well.

*PLEASE NOTE: Steve Seskin will offer; Lyric writing - We will cover many facets of lyric writing in this course including an examination of point of view, from simple first person to more complicated models like first person when it’s obviously not you, universal first person, and inventing a device to make it easier to tell a story. I like to think that there is a most powerful way to write every song. The trick is exploring the possibilities and choosing the best one. We’ll also look at how to combine emotion and imagery to create the most potent lyrics. We'll also talk about rhyme and how to use it to your advantage. (Hummingbird Tent)

**PLEASE NOTE:  Paul Reisler will offer: Guerrilla Songwriting-Developing Speed and Flexibility and Writing for Your Community - We’ll write 3 songs during the course of the workshop - a group co-write using the Kid Pan Alley techniques; a refrain based song for a political event; and, a hip-hop song to a rhythmic loop. All of these are designed to help you write quickly when you need a song for a particular event or want to write a group song. We’ll also discuss songwriting as community building and service work—how you can use songwriting to benefit your community and inspire others through projects such as Kid Pan Alley. (Wildflower Pavilion)

***PLEASE NOTE:  Zoe Lewis will offer: Small is Tremendous Songwriting Part 1 The tiniest things can be the most worthy and delightful songwriting material. Keeping your eyes wide, perhaps like when you were a kid, opens up a whole wealth of subjects. From the initial inspiration, finding your own voice, developing the idea, discovering the melody and groove, honing in the lyrics to the premiere performance, she'll take you through a song's journey and by the end you'll be creating a small yet tremendous piece of your own. (Trout Tent)

PLEASE NOTE: Moira Smiley will offer: Versatile Vocal Improvisation - How to truly use all the colors in your voice.  Get the gritty, technical, sensual sense of how the voice can draw powerfully on vocal wisdom from traditional Irish to Bulgarian solo song, South African choral improvisation to opera recitative.  Learn - by singing - how timbres, ornaments and language can expand your own sound and pull you in new directions.  (Lizard Tent)

Songwriting Meeting Places
Catie Curtis - Mountain Lion Tent
Steve Seskin* - Hummingbird Tent
Vance Gilbert - Eagle Tent (backstage)
Zoe Lewis*** - Trout Tent
Paul Reisler** - Wildflower Pavilion
Mary Gauthier - Elk Tent
Peter Himmelman - Bear Tent
Moira Smiley – Lizard Tent

4:15–5:45pm – Electives

  1. Embellishing Your Song - Bring your songs to this interactive workshop with Arthur Lee Land and learn new ways to embellish your song by adding tasty guitar fills, substitute chord changes, various picking and strumming approaches, alternate chord forms and inversions, varied capoed positions and more. (Blue Heron Tent)

  2. “There are four steps to enhancing one’s creativity: The first is to think. Think about the values and principles that guide you in your business and personal life. Second is to believe. Believe in yourself. The third is to dream. Dream about something you want to do. And the last is to dare. Dare to make your dream a reality.”
    –Walt Disney
    Stagecraft: How To Capture an Audience – Join Zoe Lewis for an exploration of the art of capturing an audience with your music and stage presence.  (Eagle Tent - backstage)

  3. If Buddha Was a Songwriter: Compassionate Song Critique - Drawing on teachings from Buddhism and also non-violent communication (NVC), participants will learn a simple feedback model which emphasizes what works (rather than what doesn't) while offering clear suggestions and creative solutions. Attendees are asked to bring: 1) a song they feel could be improved with some feedback; and 2) a willingness to listen and to practice giving feedback to others with an open heart. With Terri Mazurek and Ellis (Spider Tent) 

  4. How to Listen to the Air - Many great songwriters mention that their songs come from “another place”.  They describe writing songs as a kind of mystical download that they let flow from spirit out onto their paper.  For these people, writing can be more like listening than thinking.  But what are they listening to?  Where did they find that radio station in their mind’s ear?  More importantly, HOW do they listen to the air and hear songs? In this session, singer/songwriter Anna Wolfe will teach methods that can help writers to tune in and write from “that other place.” (Bear Tent)

  5. Sing What You Mean:  Using our Voices Fully to Express the Text and Melodies We Write - Do you sometimes feel disconnected when singing your own lyric? Do you ever go to perform your songs and feel like a robot...doing the same thing you always do? Do you want to find a way to sink into the meaning even deeper within your song? Using techniques borrowed from acting and voicework, we will put our songs and the “singing of them” under a microscope, reinforcing that we are singing what we mean, meaning what we sing, and finding ways to allow the natural voice to express the lyric without having to “act” your way through the performance. Bring lyrics to a song written out and be prepared to sing! With Amy Speace (Mountain Lion Tent)

  6. The Tax Man Cometh! - The year they got married (2004), the IRS decided to visit Michael Bowers and Siobhan Quinn to audit their music business and expenses.  At issue were not only how they accounted for various expenses, or whether they were reporting all their revenue, but also whether or not their work was a legitimate business, or a “hobby” in IRS terms.  The good news?  They prevailed at the audit—not once, but twice!  The better news—they learned a whole lot about what you need to have to be prepared BEFORE the IRS ever shows up at your door (or in your mailbox), and what to do when and if the IRS does show up, and Michael will share that information with you. This session is particularly relevant if you if you are a part-time music professional, or if you are a full-time musician, but you have a spouse who has a regular day job and you file joint returns.  It will be addressed from a “musician’s perspective” not an accountants, but will provide specific tips on being ready for the tax man - or woman. (Trout Tent)

  7. Workin' the Groove (Finding Your Rhythm & Using It!) - Great for songwriters, teachers, dumpster divers, percussionist wannabe's AND those who'd like to have a bag of tools for passing the rhythm torch to others! Songwriter/Percussionist/Accompanist Annie Wenz leads this "hands on" fun & informative workshop for anyone who'd like to learn more about the heart of the art of groove & percussion ...Annie covers all the bases... from bringing better "groove" to your songs, to techniques for improving your groove  coordination (simple rhythm exercises) , to writing/starting from a rhythm, simple percussion techniques (how can i get the best sound out of that drum or shaker or washbucket?), percussive accompaniment (how to back up your friend's song or your recording without mashing all over it?), to playing polyrhythms, & reading/writing a polyrhythm chart. With Annie Wenz, Jennifer Jones, Jagota, Moira Smiley (Hummingbird Tent)
  8. Writing Children’s Music  - With Paul Reisler and Peter Himmelman - Peter Himmelman makes music for children as a sideline, and creates music that is enjoyable for all ages. "If there is some essential truth or idea that one holds," he says, it should be understandable to a listener at any level. "All the stuff that's good, it's not just good for children; it's just good. It so happens that it's a form of expression that children can also relate to." Paul Reilser is a founder of Kid Pan Alley. It all started with a brilliant but obvious discovery—kids make the greatest co-writers—especially when you are writing songs for kids. Ever since, Kid Pan Alley has created a tidal wave of songs (over 500 songs with more than 10,000 children) around the country. (Wildflower Tent)
  9. Mentoring (one-on-one) Sessions -  Justin Roth (Turtle Tent), other TBA. Sign up at the Blue Heron Tent (registration tent).
    “All the arts we practice are apprenticeship. The big art is our life.”
    –M.C. Richards

6:00-7:30pm – BBQ By the River

The BBQ’s are open to all Song School participants and their registered guests only. Chef: Chad Soulia. Menu: Organic Beef Burgers Veggie Burgers, Natural Cheddar Cheese, Organic Valley Bacon, Organic Spring Mix Salad, Assorted Salad Fixings, Organic Pasta Salad, Organic Red Potato Salad, Chocolate Mousse Filled Tarts. Please present your wristband as a meal pass. Please compost everything (except the aluminum tart containers, they get recycled) and keep the Planet beautiful. (Mountain Lion Tent)

7:30pm – Open Stage

Confirm your day and time posted in Blue Heron Tent. Song School instructor kick off. (Wildflower Pavilion)

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Tuesday, August 14th

Song School student

TIP OF THE DAY...

If you have a Festival related question or problem, please let us know before class or during lunch break today so we can help you work out a solution before the Festival. Use message board as needed.

TO DO LIST

8:00am – Morning Movement & Stretching

Annie Wenz will help celebrate the morning by leading gentle yoga, tai chi & dance based movement, stretching & breathing exercises. No prior experience necessary. (Silo)

9:30-12:00pm – Morning Electives

  1. Directed Writing with Paul Reisler - Twenty years ago, a friend gave me the best advice I've ever heard regarding songwriting.  He told me to get up every morning and write a song, complete it, and put it in a file folder and not look at it for 6 months.  Not a good song or a long song necessarily, just a song. Two years and several hundred songs later, I realized that I had not only learned a lot about the craft of songwriting, but a great deal about how to generate ideas and images and carry them through, how to dance around writers block and how to fool myself into approaching my writing in a fresh way each day.  We'll be writing in a very directed way that will give you the tools to write on a daily basis.  This is a multi-day workshop that is progressive.  We will not take new people after today. (Wildflower Pavilion)

  2. “The last of the human freedoms - to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way.”
    –Victor Frankl

    Song Sessions with Steve Seskin - The focus of these sessions will be an in depth look at the participants songs, hopefully turning each song into teachable moments that will benefit the writer as well as the other participants. We'll spend time identifying what's good and what could be even better. This session is open to as many people as wish to attend, but the emphasis will not be on getting to a song written by each person as much as everyone learning something from the songs we do get to. I imagine we'll look at 4 or 5 songs each morning. I prefer that people play live so we can more easily try some different things especially when it comes to melody and phrasing. I will offer this class on three mornings and it's fine to attend one or all the sessions. (Mountain Lion Tent)

  3. Performance with Julie Portman; Session 2 - “Every song is a story. Every performer is a storyteller.”  When you think of your songs as stories and your performance as storytelling, you open a big door and free up a lot of creative juices. You get a whole new perspective on what you’re doing as a songwriter, singer and performer. These three performance sessions will look at the songs you sing and the way you deliver your songs through the lens of story. The sessions build on each other and combine exercises with plenty of opportunities to perform. You can come to one session or to all of them. Session 2 (Tuesday) - What is the story in your song? How do you get inside the story of your song? Session 3 (Wednesday) - How do you get your story across to your audience? What story is the audience hearing?  (Festival Main Stage)

  4. Plan Your Music Business (so you can get back to making music)
    Geared towards performing musicians who are interested in pursuing a full-time career in music and who need help with the business end of things. Receiving guidance from booking agent/artist consultant Terri Mazurek, participants will complete an assessment of their music career, set goals for the next 5 years, and develop a marketing plan. There will also be an opportunity to participate in a follow-up mentoring session in order to further clarify goals and next steps. Terri recommends attending the “How to sell your music without selling your soul” workshop prior to this one (either this year or last year’s session), but it is not a requirement.   (Lizard Tent)

  5. Mike Green at the Song SchoolColors Of The Voice - We may limit ourselves to only a fraction of our vocal capacity.  This most flexible instrument in the world can speak a thousand languages and bring so many emotions to our songs.  We will explore our wildly versatile voices – how to truly use all the colors in your voice. Get the gritty, technical, sensual sense of how the voice can draw powerfully on vocal wisdom from deep in our bodies and around the world.  With Moira Smiley  (Bear Tent)

  6. Performance with Vance Gilbert - A practical performance workshop in which you’ll have an opportunity to hone your existing song delivery skills or adopt/adapt new ones. Bring a song and practice everything from eye contact, patter dynamics, timing, body positioning and more will be examined in a supportive atmosphere. (Eagle Tent-backstage)

  7. Take a Lead Break On Your Own Song: PART 1 - We will use chord changes from participant’s songs and Arthur Lee’s “Live Looping” technology to provide a framework for exploring soloing ideas. Topics covered in this workshop will include the concept of melody-based solos, hearing and singing what you play, as well as improvisational ideas based on single note lines utilizing major and minor pentatonic scales. This workshop will be taught on guitar but is open to all instruments as the soloing concepts and ideas apply to any lead instrument. (Hummingbird Tent)

  8. Songwriting with Darrell Scott - (Trout Tent)

  9. Mentoring - Alan Rowoth (Turtle Tent), Justin Roth (Raven Tent)

12:00-1:30pm – Lunch Break

Confirm open stage performance times posted in Blue Heron Tent.  

1:30-4:00pm – Creative Songwriting Groups: Session 2

Your daily dose of songwriting  with instructors Steve Seskin*, Vance Gilbert, Mary Gauthier,  Paul Reisler**, Catie Curtis, Zoe Lewis*** and Peter Himmelman. This session lasts until 4pm. Instructors will meet at the same location (mostly) each day as noted below. Where applicable, signup for these groups will take place at the Blue Heron Tent (registration tent) at 9:00 am. An additional offering will be included each day as well. Classes ends at 4:30pm.

*PLEASE NOTE:  Steve Seskin will offer Melody and Music - In focusing on melody writing, I teach from a place of writing melodies for lyrics. Prosody is the marriage of music and lyric. We will explore ways to determine if the overall vibe of the music feels right, and look at specific parts of songs in terms of choosing an appropriate melody that milks the emotion that the writer would like the listener to feel from the lyric. I will also talk about phrasing and accents. There is an important word in every sentence. We’ll look at choosing accent places that stress the right syllables and help drive home your point. Music can actually change the meaning of a lyric when used to its fullest potential. We’ll also discuss rhythm and range and how to use them effectively in songs. (Hummingbird Tent)

**PLEASE NOTE: Paul Reisler will offer: Creating Memorable Melodies - Are you a prisoner of your chord changes? When was the last time you left a concert humming the chord changes? The emotional power of the music lies in the melody, yet training in melody writing is a sadly neglected part of the contemporary songwriter scene. This workshop is about melody and it's magical interaction with a lyric. There will be lots of techniques for building melodies from short motifs. We'll explore what makes a melody memorable, how to make the music support the emotion of the lyric, how to control the forward movement of your song, discovering the music in the lyric, finding melodic inspiration and much more. This is an active, participatory workshop that will give you lots of tools for developing your melodic ideas into memorable songs. (Wildflower Pavilion)

***PLEASE NOTE:  Zoe Lewis will offer: Small is Tremendous Songwriting Part 2 The tiniest things can be the most worthy and delightful songwriting material. Keeping your eyes wide, perhaps like when you were a kid, opens up a whole wealth of subjects. From the initial inspiration, finding your own voice, developing the idea, discovering the melody and groove, honing in the lyrics to the premiere performance, she'll take you through a song's journey and by the end you'll be creating a small yet tremendous piece of your own. (Trout Tent)

Songwriting Meeting Places
Catie Curtis - Mountain Lion Tent
Steve Seskin* - Hummingbird Tent
Vance Gilbert - Eagle Tent (backstage)
Zoe Lewis*** - Trout Tent
Paul Reisler** - Wildflower Pavilion
Mary Gauthier - Elk Tent
Peter Himmelman - Bear Tent
Darrell Scott – Lizard Tent

4:15pm – Creative Gap/Woodshed/Relax/Float/Enjoy   

Mentoring (one-on-one) Sessions

  • Justin Roth (Hummingbird Tent)
  • Moira Smiley (Lizard Tent),
  • Alan Rowoth (Mtn Lion Tent)
  • Terri Mazurek (Blue Heron Tent),
  • Anna Wolfe (Elk Tent),
  • others TBA

4:45 - 6:00 – HB Woodsongs Traveling Music Store

The easy way to have items like picks, strings, capos, music, delivered to your tent. Feel free to call them ahead of time with special requests (303-449-0516).  They will set up in front of the bathhouse in the courtyard immediately after class.

8:00pm – Open Stage

Confirm your day and time posted in Blue Heron Tent. Song School instructor kick off. (Wildflower Pavilion)

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Wednesday, August 15th

Workshops by the river

TIP OF THE DAY...  

Pace yourself and enjoy!

TO DO LIST

8:00am – Morning Movement & Stretching

Annie Wenz will help celebrate the morning by leading gentle yoga, tai chi & dance based movement, stretching & breathing exercises. No prior experience necessary. (Silo)

9:30-12:00pm – Morning Electives

  1. Directed Writing with Paul Reisler - We'll be writing in a very directed way that will give you the tools to write on a daily basis.  This is a multi-day workshop that is progressive.  Sorry, no new people after Tuesday. (Wildflower Pavilion)

  2. Song Sessions with Steve Seskin - The focus of these sessions will be an in depth look at the participants songs, hopefully turning each song into teachable moments that will benefit the writer as well as the other participants. We'll spend time identifying what's good and what could be even better. This session is open to as many people as wish to attend, but the emphasis will not be on getting to a song written by each person as much as everyone learning something from the songs we do get to. I imagine we'll look at 4 or 5 songs each morning. I prefer that people play live so we can more easily try some different things especially when it comes to melody and phrasing. (Mountain Lion Tent)

  3. Performance with Julie Portman; Session 3 - “Every song is a story. Every performer is a storyteller.” When you think of your songs as stories and your performance as storytelling, you open a big door and free up a lot of creative juices. You get a whole new perspective on what you’re doing as a songwriter, singer and performer. These three performance sessions will look at the songs you sing and the way you deliver your songs through the lens of story. The sessions build on each other and combine exercises with plenty of opportunities to perform. You can come to one session or to all of them. Session 3 (Wednesday) - How do you get your story across to your audience? What story is the audience hearing?  (Spider Tent)

  4. “Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is.”
    –Will Rogers
    Versatile Vocal Improvisation - From a simple break (solo) in a song, to an extended, emotional improv to an incredible dialogue with other singers and musicians – here are some super-fun, illuminating games and exercises and just plain supportive space for vocal improvisation. Taking cues from all kinds of music forms - old & new, traditional Irish to Bulgarian solo song, new folk to blues, South African chorals to opera recitative. With Moira Smiley (Bear Tent)

  5. Songwriting with Darrell Scott – (Trout Tent)

  6. Getting Started with Altered Tunings - Want to explore altered tunings but don't know where to start?  This workshop with Justin Roth will explore ways to understand, compose in, convert songs to, and switch between altered tunings.  No need to be intimidated by too much music theory, we will learn a simple way to relate altered tunings to songs you've already written or songs to come.  Handouts will be provided to get you started with chord positions in different tunings.  In addition, other techniques will be introduced to help enhance your solo guitar sound. (Lizard Tent)

  7. Digital Recording with Pro-Tools - Have you been considering doing your own home recording?  Have you been working in the digital environment and interested in deepening your understanding of it’s potential?  Do you have questions about what to buy and how much to spend?  Do you want to make sure that what you record at home can be safely and easily taken into a pro studio for mixing or additional overdubs?  Join Ben Wisch as he walks you through the world of pro-tools--recording advice,  simplifying the process and tricks of the trade.  1 ½ hour tutorial, 1 hour Q&A. ( Blue Heron Tent)
  8. Take a Lead Break On Your Own Song: PART 2 – This workshop is a continuation of Part 1.We will use chord changes from participant’s songs and Arthur Lee’s “Live Looping” technology to provide a framework for exploring soloing ideas. Building on ideas presented in Part 1 we will be covering techniques to help you develop clarity in your phrasing such as Motif Playing, Question & Answer, Melodic & Rhythmic Repetition, Target Notes and Color Tones. Attendance in Part 1 is highly recommended but not a prerequisite. (Hummingbird tent)

  9. Mentoring - Alan Rowoth (Turtle Tent), Rebecca Folsom (Elk Tent) others, TBA

12:00-1:30pm – Lunch Break

1:30-4:00pm – Creative Songwriting Groups: Session 3

Your daily dose of songwriting  with instructors Steve Seskin*, Vance Gilbert, Mary Gauthier,  Paul Reisler**, Catie Curtis, Zoe Lewis*** and Peter Himmelman. This session lasts until 4pm. Instructors will meet at the same location (mostly) each day as noted below. Where applicable, signup for these groups will take place at the Blue Heron Tent (registration tent) at 9:00 am. An additional offering will be included each day as well. Classes end at 4:00pm.

“Without music, life would be a mistake.”
–Nietzsche

*PLEASE NOTE: Steve Seskin will offer: Rewriting and Creativity - This class will focus on rewriting - how it differs from writing. We will explore songs that I’ve rewritten and why and then apply those techniques to a song from each student. We will examine all types of rewriting. Are you rewriting because the content is not serving the moment in the song, or is the problem the tone of how you put forth your idea? We’ll also look at how to know when a song is done and the wisdom of sticking to the task versus putting a song away for a while and giving it a rest. Many times I write more than I need to just to give myself choices. (Hummingbird Tent)

**PLEASE NOTE: Paul Reisler will offer Harmony and Chord Substitution - This workshop starts where Creating Memorable Melodies leaves off.  We’ll learn how to set chords to your melody, how to shade the emotion of the moment with a proper choice of chords, chord types and substitutions, using harmony to control forward motion, creating contrast in your song structure, and much more.  In addition, we’ll take one song and harmonize it in 8 different ways using different types of chord substitutions. Again, this is a participatory workshop that will give you specific techniques and inspiration to use in your music.  Previous participation in one of Paul Reisler’s melody workshops is strongly recommended. (Wildflower Pavilion)

***PLEASE NOTE:  Zoe Lewis will offer: Small is Tremendous Songwriting Part 1 The tiniest things can be the most worthy and delightful songwriting material. Keeping your eyes wide, perhaps like when you were a kid, opens up a whole wealth of subjects. From the initial inspiration, finding your own voice, developing the idea, discovering the melody and groove, honing in the lyrics to the premiere performance, she'll take you through a song's journey and by the end you'll be creating a small yet tremendous piece of your own. (Trout Tent)

Songwriting Meeting Places
Catie Curtis - Mountain Lion Tent
Steve Seskin* - Hummingbird Tent
Vance Gilbert - Eagle Tent (backstage)
Zoe Lewis*** - Trout Tent
Paul Reisler** - Wildflower Pavilion
Mary Gauthier - Elk Tent
Peter Himmelman - Bear Tent
Darrell Scott – Lizard Tent

4:15-5:30pm – Electives

  1. Performance 201 -A class specially designed for students whom, over the last 10 years, have had at least one session with Vance in his Performance workshop or his Songwriting Through the Eyes of Performance workshop. Here's a place to dig even deeper into those stage and songwriting skills. Set list, pacing, patter, large room versus small room, off versus on mike singing, indoor versus outdoor venue, where to place a cover tune and other fine points will be practiced and examined. (Eagle Tent)

  2. Music Business Think Tank: Making a Living Making Music in the 21st Century  - What is your biggest barrier to success in the music industry?  Is it piracy or obscurity? Is your competition other performing musician or home entertainment systems?  Will you continue to print hard copy CDs or go all-digital?  Let’s put our heads together and discuss tough issues facing musicians who tour and record their own music. Participants will have the opportunity to bring questions and challenges to the group for a collective problem-solving, brainstorming and think-tank session focused on making music in the 21st century and beyond. With Terri Mazurek, Ellis and Mary Gauthier (Wildflower Pavilion)

  3. Music as Service and Alternative Venues - There is no disputing that being a musician is a hard road to travel emotionally and financially.  There seems sometimes to be more musicians than spots on the stage and this can be discouraging.  However, there are many places to play as well as the stage if one opens their mind to all the possibilities.  This panel will discuss alternative venues where one can play and make money such as in schools, as well as, discuss the priceless benefits of performing in service venues such as Hospice, hospitals and nursing homes. With Anna Wolfe, Steve Seskin, Alan Rowoth and Annie Wenz (Bear Tent)

  4. Marketing: Synergies and Alternatives  - Alan Rowoth talks about supplemental marketing strategies to augment artist booking, sales, and promotion. Finding synergies in other communities that spread your music to new audiences. Develop new
    promotional opportunities. Find a way to stand out more easily along the road less travelled by not taking an identical marketing path to your contemporaries. We'll talk about all kinds of partnerships to enlist others in your mission, trying to delve deeply into unexplored opportunities waiting to be mined. Alan will also discuss recent internet opportunities like sonicbids, onlinegigs.com, youtube, Second Life and other virtual communities. (Lizard Tent)
  5. Money, Money Money: That’s What I Want!  - Learn the basics of getting grants whether you represent organization seeking arts funding or are an individual artist. You will learn where to find grant funding and how to create a fundable series, program or performance.  You'll learn how to create an artist/org. mission statement, a program description, and a realistic budget.    If you're saying "what's that?" to any of this, you need to come to this workshop. The workshop is an introduction to grantwriting but will also be gauged to the attendees individual needs as much as possible. With Siobhan Quinn (Mountain Lion Tent)

  6. Curing the Song that Ails You - Have you been stuck lately with your writing? Bring in a sick song, one that's been in a lyrical/melodic coma for a while and needs resuscitating. In this relatively painless procedure, done on an out-patient basis, together we will take an X-ray of the song, find and focus it's essence, get it's heart pumping again, and get it off of bed rest and out in the world, where it should be. With Kathrin Shorr and Tim Burlingame (Spider Tent)

    “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”
    —Henry Thoreau

  7. Passport Required: International Touring Without a Record Label, Agent or Manager - Touring outside the USA presents some daunting logistical challenges. But it can also prove immensely rewarding, artistically, professionally and personally. This workshop with Mike Beck examines the nuts-and-bolts of touring internationally, including getting gigs, making contacts, transportation, P.A. and backline, financial realities of touring overseas, as well as strategies for maximizing your impact before, during and after your tour. Handouts include contact info for European and Asian venues, booking agencies and radio stations as well as a planning sheet and actual tour budget. (Hummingbird Tent)

  8. MOVE…Can It Be This Easy – The Art of Vocal Freedom (or Make a million dollars while you sleep, Stay young forever, and lose 10 pounds, all in this simple workshop!) Sometimes it only takes a few minor adjustments in focus and technique to create crucial and lasting change.  The voice is the barometer of the soul, and the instrument is you. Training your whole being to be awake, at ease, and working in synchronicity you gain access to your own authentic, balanced, passionate voice.  We will practice a very unique blend of traditional and non-traditional vocal technique, martial arts, yogic posture, Toltec and Taoist exercises.  Together we will embody lightness, agility, power, stamina, joy, depth, and relaxation in vocal resonance and personal presence.  With Rebecca Folsom. (Trout Tent)

  9. Mentoring (one-on-one) Sessions - Moira Smiley (Elk Tent), Ben Wisch (Turtle Tent), Jennifer “JJ” Jones (Wildflower Pavilion), Justin Roth (Raven Tent), Arthur Lee Land (Dragonfly Tent), others TBA

8:00pm – Open Stage

Confirm your day and time posted in Blue Heron Tent. (Wildflower Pavilion)

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Thursday, August 16th

Song School graduation

TIP OF THE DAY...

Pick up your Festival wristbands. (Festival Box Office opens at noon.)

TO DO LIST

8:00am – Morning Movement & Stretching

"I refused to be intimidated by reality anymore. What’s reality? Nothing more than a collective hunch!"
–Lily Tomlin

Annie Wenz will help celebrate the morning by leading gentle yoga, tai chi & dance based movement, stretching & breathing exercises. No prior experience necessary. (Silo)

9:30-12:00pm – Creative Songwriting Groups: Session 4

Final Songwriting session with instructors Steve Seskin*, Vance Gilbert, Mary Gauthier,  Paul Reisler**, Catie Curtis, Zoe Lewis*** and Peter Himmelman.  Classes ends at noon.

*PLEASE NOTE: Steve Seskin will offer; The curse of the 2nd verse - Techniques to jumpstart things when you're stuck and the inspiration is seemingly gone. We will talk about how to keep the action moving along and continue to keep the listeners attention throughout the whole song. (Hummingbird Tent)

**PLEASE NOTE: Paul Reisler and Jagota will offer: Rhythm and Groove
Rhythm and groove are perhaps the most important elements in your music for defining the musical style.  If you feel you have been writing the same songs over and over again, or that you want to be able to write in a wider variety of styles, this is the place to start. This is a highly participatory, fun workshop where we will quickly create melodies to different beats and use groove as an inspiration for both melody and lyric We’ll work on understanding the basic components of the rhythmic web that work together to create groove, how the groove changes the emotional experience of the song, the western and Indian systems of rhythm, and much more.  (Wildflower Pavilion)

***PLEASE NOTE: Zoe Lewis will offer: Small is Tremendous Songwriting Part 2 The tiniest things can be the most worthy and delightful songwriting material. Keeping your eyes wide, perhaps like when you were a kid, opens up a whole wealth of subjects. From the initial inspiration, finding your own voice, developing the idea, discovering the melody and groove, honing in the lyrics to the premiere performance, she'll take you through a song's journey and by the end you'll be creating a small yet tremendous piece of your own. (Trout Tent)

Song School class on the stage
Song School classroom on the stage

****PLEASE NOTE A process of awaking memory and imagination so that we can have access to countless events in our lives and a way to transform them into a story.  This is an opportunity for you to write and tell your own stories. You will learn to listen to yourself and others in a new way. Renowned psychiatrist Carl Jung said that the reason for evil in the world is that people are not able to tell their stories. As human beings we need to connect memory and experience in order to create meaning, uncover themes and make sense out of what has happened to us. A powerful way of doing this is through the creative process of writing and sharing our stories. In these troubled times, Julie will help you give voice to your own unique story as well as discover themes you share with others. Working in a small group in a supportive atmosphere you learn to listen to yourself and to others with new purpose and understanding. Great subject matter for songwriting. Lizard Tent)

Songwriting Meeting Places
Catie Curtis - Mountain Lion Tent
Steve Seskin* - Hummingbird Tent
Vance Gilbert - Eagle Tent (backstage)
Zoe Lewis*** - Trout Tent
Paul Reisler & Jagota** - Wildflower Pavilion
Mary Gauthier - Elk Tent
Peter Himmelman - Bear Tent
Julie Portman**** – Lizard Tent

12:00-1:30pm – Lunch Break

Song Schoolers without on-site festival vehicle passes must move cars out of the campground to VIP parking area or off site festival parking area. Shuttle provided - see Bill at front gate with questions.

1:30-3:00pm – Electives

  1. Directed Writing with Paul Reisler - In this final session, participants will perform material gleaned from the morning songwriting sessions. This session goes until 4:30pm if necessary. (Mountain Lion Tent)

  2. “Creative force, like a musical composer, goes on unweariedly repeating a simple air or theme, now high, now low, in solo, in chorus, ten thousand times reverberated, till it fills earth and heaven with the chant.”
    –Ralph Waldo Emerson
    Letting It All Go—A Vocal Workshop For Release, Balance, and Relaxation - It has been a full week and by now you are probably a very saturated songschooler. In this workshop we will let the music work for us.  There are vocal exercises that help you unwind, others that help you put the pieces together in a synchronized fashion, and others that soothe. We will go with the flow and vocalize for whatever release, regrouping, and elaxation is needed.  Individually, we will experience the release and ease of toning, and together we will experience the beauty and joy of joining voices. With Rebecca Folsom. (Eagle Tent)

  3. Getting Your Own Radio Airplay - Syndicated radio host, Carmen Allgood, reveals the ins and outs of what it takes to secure your own radio airplay as an independent artist.  The Radio Airplay Workshop covers all the steps you'll need to take to make a splash with your original music on a local, regional, national and worldwide level.  (Spider Tent)

  4. Performance 201 - a class specially designed for students whom, over the last ten years, have had at least one session with Vance in his Performance workshop or his Songwriting Through the Eyes of Performance workshop. Here's a place to dig even deeper into those stage and songwriting skills. Set list, pacing, patter, large room vs small room, off vs on mike singing, indoor vs outdoor venue, where to place a cover tune and other fine points will be practiced and examined. (Wildflower Pavilion)

  5. Is It Time To Add a Producer To Your Team?  An artist (Ellis), manager (Terri Mazurek), and record producer (Ben Wisch) share their journey of making an album together. The goal of this workshop is share ideas and information to better inform participants in their own process of finding and working with a producer. We’ll explore the following: Should I hire a producer? How do I find the right one (and how will I know)?  Who is really in charge? Will my album be better for it? Join us for an open-hearted discussion followed by a question-and-answer session.    (Bear Tent)

  6. Film and TV Composing - Here’s a chance to learn more about a lucrative market for songsmiths who want to stay at home in the studio and work in pajamas. Join Peter Himmelman for a look at alternative opportunities in film and TV for songwriters.
    (Lizard Tent)

  7. What a Story! What a Journey! What a Song! - Someone tells you their amazing life story, you have a once in a lifetime experience... or you read a great novel & just know it will make a hell of a song... But how do you hone years, days or hours of
    material to a 4 minute song? Annie Wenz shares tips on laying out & sifting through material. What to keep & not keep. Using colorful memorable images & bringing the listener on a journey they won't forget. (Hummingbird Tent)
  8. Songwriting with Darrell Scott, Part 4 – (Trout Tent)

  9. Mentoring (one-on-one) Sessions – Moira Smiley (Elk Tent), Mike Beck (Turtle Tent), Reiki with Judith Wade (Owl Tent) Anna Wolfe (Raven Tent) and others TBA, Sign ups posted in Blue Heron Tent at 9am.

3:15-4:30pm – Electives

  1. Putting It Together: from Solo to a Band and Everything In Between - How do you take your song you’ve been playing entirely by yourself and bring other instrumentation to it? How do you put a band together? How DO you talk to a bass player? In this workshop we will deal with the hows and whys (and maybe even the whens) of putting together a band, arranging your songs for other players, the skills it takes to be a leader of a band, how to find other players, and even the financial and practical aspects of life in a band vs. a solo career. With Amy Speace, Jagoda, Zoe Lewis Jennifer Jones and Arthur Lee Land. (Wildflower Pavilion)

  2. Your Songs, Your Money And The Music Business: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You! – You’ve spent years honing your craft as a songwriter, and you’re ready to let the world hear from you.   And yet, you feel like you’re at the bottom of huge mountain.   Are you in shape to climb it?  How do you make money as a songwriter?  Did you know that you’re also wearing a music publisher hat when you write a song?   Do you know anything about mechanical income, performance income and synchronization rights?  How can you make your songs a viable source of income for yourself via film and TV usages?  In a casual discussion with industry professionals, you’ll learn some of the basics on music publishing plus how to take those steps to get inside, build relationships and make contact.  Get your questions ready for our speakers to answer, as much of this 90 - minute elective will address your specific needs. ASCAP’s Brendan Okrent will lead the discussion, with guest appearances by some of our Song School instructors representing the other side of the desk. (Bear Tent)

  3. Ask Me Anything  A chance to get answers to questions about life as a touring singer/songwriter... How do you fly with your guitars?How did you get started?  How come you’re always wearing that same shirt onstage...and whatever else is on your mind. With Catie Curtis. (Spider Tent)

  4. Vocal Harmony and Arrangement – A wild and wacky exploration of the fundamentals of vocal harmony and background singing with Moira Smiley, Rebecca Folsom and Vance Gilbert. Drawing on some of the traditions that inspire, but may be unfamiliar to us (folk, Eastern Europe, Ireland, Inuit, S. Africa, medieval Europe and others that you bring to the table...), we break down vocal harmonies across cultural bounds.  Then we see how we can bring some harmonic surprises into our own songs (Eagle Tent)

  5. How Do You Put Comedy in Front Of, Behind, and With Your Act  Join Vance Gilbert, who is currently working with George Carlin for a look at the role of comedy in one’s performance. (Lizard Tent)

  6. Directed Writing Songsharing with Paul Reisler - In this final session, participants will perform material gleaned from the morning songwriting sessions. This session goes straight on until 4:30pm or until everyone has a chance to share a new song. (Mtn Lion Tent)

  7. Mentoring (one-on-one) Sessions – Reiki with Judith Wade (Owl Tent), and others TBA.

4:45-5:30pm – Song School Closing Session

Our final session will bring us all back together to join voices in song. Meet at the Wildflower Pavilion for a final memorable round of singing led by Moira Smiley.

“When you do things from your soul, a river runs thru you.”
–Rumi

6:00-7:30pm – BBQ by the River

The BBQ’s are open to all Song School participants and their registered guests only. Please present your wristband as a meal pass. Chef: Chad Soulia. Soux Chef: Cece. Hickory BBQ Natural Chicken Breast, Grilled Portabella Tofu Stack, Natural Cheddar Cheese, Vegetarian Baked Beans, Organic Spring Mix Salad, Organic Potato Salad, Organic Pasta Salad, Pound Cake with Lemon CrËme and Mint. Please compost everything! (Mountain Lion Tent)

Instructors will have books and CD’s for sale in tent as well.

7:30pm – Open Stage

Confirm your day and time posted in Blue Heron Tent.  Song School instructor kick off. (Wildflower Pavilion)

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Other things you need to know about...

Songwriting Sessions

These daily sessions are designed to give you a variety of approaches to the songwriting craft.  Some instructors will repeat their lesson plan while others will focus on specific topics each day as noted in the schedule. Vance Gilbert’s classes are called, “Songwriting Through the Eyes of Performance”. Zoe Lewis will offer two, two part classes on Mon-Tues, and again on Wed-Thurs, Paul Reisler and Steve Seskin will offer different workshops each day, and Darrell Scott, Moira Smiley and Julie Portman will offer one additional workshop choice throughout the week. Please keep in mind that if a class you want to take is large one day, chances are it won’t be the next.

Electives

Each day, a variety of elective classes are offered. Please note that some electives are only offered once, and some are offered multiple times during the week. A few electives require that you be in attendance for the initial session in order to participate later in the week and these are noted on the schedule. In addition, Darrell Scott’s morning four part elective is closed to new students. Refer to your matrix for a quick overview.

Mentoring SessionsPiano at the Song School

These sessions are offered as a way for participants to receive more personalized attention and help with specific questions. They can take the form of one-on-one or small group consultations depending on the desires of the instructor. Each day, sign ups and meeting locations for that day’s participating instructors will be posted in the Blue Heron Tent at 9am (registration area). Sessions will meet under 10 x 10 tents near the silo and beach area.

Open Stages

The evening open stages are offered as an opportunity to perform your original material for each other in the Wildflower Pavilion. However, due to the size and sound curfews, we have a limited number of spots available. To be the fairest about open mic participation and to have it be a rewarding experience for all involved, a random drawing will be made (from the names of those who have entered their name to participate) with the first name drawn going to Monday night, the second name going to tues. night, the third to wed. night, the fourth to Thurs., and the repeat of this till all the names are listed. The final list for all four nights will be posted Monday @ 12:30pm in the Blue heron Tent

Message Board

The message board is located in the Blue Heron Tent (registration tent).  If you have messages for other participants, need festival or camping passes or have tickets to sell, this is the place to post your message.

The Song School Roster

A master copy of the roster will be kept at the registration area in the Blue Heron Tent. Check the roster on Monday or Tuesday to make sure your information is correct. We will make this updated roster available to all on Wednesday.

Evaluation Forms

Evaluation forms are in the back of your booklet. Please take the time to fill them out and hand in on Thursday during the BBQ or open stage to help us improve The Song School. Thanks in advance for your input! You can also mail in your evaluation to the address on the form.

Instructor materials and recordings available during the Thursday BBQ

Many instructors have books and recorded products available to purchase during the Song School. You may find the instructor during the week or wait until Thursday evening before and during the BBQ where instructor materials will be for sale.

The Song School instrument of choice Composting and Recycling

Planet Bluegrass has made efforts to reduce the impact the schools and festivals have on our environment. We are now composting and recycling over 2/3rds of all festival waste! Help us by using our color-coded recycling containers in the campground and classroom areas. Remember, food, utensils, cups and plates used at the Song School BBQ’s are compostable. Thanks in advance for your help.

Poison Ivy

Be on the look out for poison ivy in the trees around the river. Some other small areas may exist, so be careful walking through any high grass areas.

Video Cameras on the grounds

Some classes might be video taped at various times for our archives. If anyone does not wish to be on camera, please identify yourself to the cameraman if he shows up where you are. They will respect your request.

Food Onsite

We are pleased to once again have a food vendor, BBC Concessions, on the grounds during the Song School for breakfast and lunch. They have great burritos and lunch items (see enclosed menu) as well as lattes and ice cream!

Reiki Sessions

A limited number of Reiki sessions will be available on Thursday. Sign ups will be posted at 9am for those interested. Reiki is a Japanese healing technique that reduces stress and promotes relaxation, thereby enhancing the body's natural ability to heal itself. It is administered by the "laying on of hands" and uses the Universal Life Force Engery (i.e. Chi, Prana) to balance a person on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level.  If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The benefits of Reiki include increases in creativity and awareness, supporting the body’s natural ability to heal itself, vitalizing both body & soul, clearing blockages from each of the four bodies: spiritual, physical, mental, & emotional, cleansing the body of toxins, and relieving stress, anxiety, and physical pain.

Judith Wade is a Reiki Master/Teacher trained in the Usui Method of Reiki and has been practicing Reiki for nine years and teaching for six years.  She is also a Pranic Healer, Sound Healer, Animal Communicator, Clairvoyant and Medium.

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