Traditions Weeks are ONLINE this summer!
~ Singing, Songwriting: Week 2 ~
July 6-10
July 6-10
|
|
|
Schedules-at-a-Glance | Evening Events | Faculty | General Info | FAQ | Registration
QUICK LINKS TO OVERVIEW PAGES
Special Gatherings | Distinctive Lectures | Literary/Performance Arts, Film | Music
Dance | Movement | Human Arts | Youth Program | Visual Arts
QUICK LINKS TO OVERVIEW PAGES
Special Gatherings | Distinctive Lectures | Literary/Performance Arts, Film | Music
Dance | Movement | Human Arts | Youth Program | Visual Arts
+ Indicates that the class is open to other instruments
Big Song Swap
Faculty and students come together in a feast of good songs: traditional, original, old, and new. In an era of musical hype and performance overload, this is a rare opportunity to sing, play and even just listen. Teachable songs with good choruses are highly encouraged! Faculty will facilitate the class, making sure that all those who care to do so will share or lead a song. Period 5 ~ Dan Collins, Shelley Ensor, Lea Gilmore, Josh Hisle, Tim Scully
CircleSinging
CircleSinging is a spontaneous singing experience developing musicality, listening and cooperation. It's a little bit like a "drum circle" for singers. In a circlesong, a leader starts by improvising a line of music and teaches it to one part of the circle. The leader then develops more parts that goes with the first and gives those parts to other sections. CircleSingers learn and repeat the part given to them. Soon we are singing a harmonious chorus that has never been sung before. Improvised singing is accessible to beginning singers, but can also challenge the very experienced. Paris will teach the step-by-step techniques used in this form of music making. Because of the online nature of this years' workshop Paris is adapting the format. We will concentrate on the skill and techniques of improvisation and creativity. You will have opportunity to lead, invent, harmonize and listen. Paris has been working the last few months with an international group of circlesingers discovering new ways to create and improvise within the limitations of singing online. It will be very helpful to have a device like a iPhone or pad or a phone that will record voice in addition to your computer. Downloading the loopy app for Iphone or Ipad will be extremely helpful but not mandatory. Period 3 ~ Paris Kern
The Craft of Songwriting
The key to writing better songs is filling your songs with lyrical hooks AND melodic hooks. In this class, for all levels, an award-winning songwriter will teach you how to find these hooks and how to incorporate them into your compositions. Period 1 ~ David Morris
Healing Through Song
Every day thousands of people are in hospitals, assisted living facilities and programs, sick, alone, and in need of music. You don’t have to be a professional musician to make a difference in the lives of patients, their families and the support staff. Become a part of patients’ healing journeys by visiting and playing music. We'll start by developing a repertoire. We will also discuss how to pick out what to play, where to play, who to contact, what to bring and some basic advice on what to expect and how to act. We’ll visit a local facility to put our learning into practice. This is a life changing experience. Come have fun, sing, play and learn, and leave better prepared to share the love. Period 3 ~ Tim Scully
Rise Up Singing
Start your day with singing! Listening, matching pitch and having fun with some silly songs will be involved each day. Understanding what stylistic technique gives a song a certain character can enhance improvisation skills so that you compliment and contribute to the performance of the selection. Singers of every level are welcome! Period 1 ~ John Kirk, Trish Miller
Scottish Song +
Scottish music is known all over the world. We are going to explore some of the songs, some of the themes, and some of the prolific song writers who have spread the beauty of Scotland and its people across the globe. We will learn about Robert Burns and how the messages within his songs are remembered over 200 years after his death. We will also look at songs of love, freedom, protest, emigration, children's songs, and music hall songs and look at the very close links between the songs of Scotland and Ireland. Every class will be a concert and everyone who comes will be part of that concert, so bring your voice, your ears and whatever instrument you want. As they say in Scotland, we'll be 'gi'en it laldy'! Period 2 ~ Paul Creighton
Singing with Shelley Ensor
Take this rare opportunity to sing with vocalist, choral director and this year’s recipient of the Robert H. Chambers Award for Excellence in the Traditional Arts, Shelley Ensor. This will be a freewheeling, fun-loving class including gospel, blues, jazz, musicals, Motown and more. Pianist Alice Dorsey will accompany. Don’t pass up a chance to sing with Shelley! Period 4 ~ Shelley Ensor, Alice Dorsey
Songwriting: Parodies and Protest Songs
Channel your inner Weird Al Yankovic or Pete Seeger. Songs that make a point – through humor or serious commentary – have always been part of the fabric of America. We’ll aim to educate without preaching through songs that reflect our beliefs and wishes. Period 4 ~ David Morris
Women and the Blues
From Bessie Smith to Koko Taylor, Memphis Minnie to Bonnie Raitt, join this exciting class as we enjoy the vast contributions women have made to the blues - the foundation for popular American music. This is a class for guys, gals, and music lovers of all ages! This is going to be a fun-filled, educational experience. Be prepared to loosen up, clap your hands, sway to the rhythms, and sing the blues from the depths of your soul. Students are encouraged to compose their own 12-bar blues, with the option to perform in class on Friday. Period 4 ~ Eleanor Ellis, Lea Gilmore
Faculty and students come together in a feast of good songs: traditional, original, old, and new. In an era of musical hype and performance overload, this is a rare opportunity to sing, play and even just listen. Teachable songs with good choruses are highly encouraged! Faculty will facilitate the class, making sure that all those who care to do so will share or lead a song. Period 5 ~ Dan Collins, Shelley Ensor, Lea Gilmore, Josh Hisle, Tim Scully
CircleSinging
CircleSinging is a spontaneous singing experience developing musicality, listening and cooperation. It's a little bit like a "drum circle" for singers. In a circlesong, a leader starts by improvising a line of music and teaches it to one part of the circle. The leader then develops more parts that goes with the first and gives those parts to other sections. CircleSingers learn and repeat the part given to them. Soon we are singing a harmonious chorus that has never been sung before. Improvised singing is accessible to beginning singers, but can also challenge the very experienced. Paris will teach the step-by-step techniques used in this form of music making. Because of the online nature of this years' workshop Paris is adapting the format. We will concentrate on the skill and techniques of improvisation and creativity. You will have opportunity to lead, invent, harmonize and listen. Paris has been working the last few months with an international group of circlesingers discovering new ways to create and improvise within the limitations of singing online. It will be very helpful to have a device like a iPhone or pad or a phone that will record voice in addition to your computer. Downloading the loopy app for Iphone or Ipad will be extremely helpful but not mandatory. Period 3 ~ Paris Kern
The Craft of Songwriting
The key to writing better songs is filling your songs with lyrical hooks AND melodic hooks. In this class, for all levels, an award-winning songwriter will teach you how to find these hooks and how to incorporate them into your compositions. Period 1 ~ David Morris
Healing Through Song
Every day thousands of people are in hospitals, assisted living facilities and programs, sick, alone, and in need of music. You don’t have to be a professional musician to make a difference in the lives of patients, their families and the support staff. Become a part of patients’ healing journeys by visiting and playing music. We'll start by developing a repertoire. We will also discuss how to pick out what to play, where to play, who to contact, what to bring and some basic advice on what to expect and how to act. We’ll visit a local facility to put our learning into practice. This is a life changing experience. Come have fun, sing, play and learn, and leave better prepared to share the love. Period 3 ~ Tim Scully
Rise Up Singing
Start your day with singing! Listening, matching pitch and having fun with some silly songs will be involved each day. Understanding what stylistic technique gives a song a certain character can enhance improvisation skills so that you compliment and contribute to the performance of the selection. Singers of every level are welcome! Period 1 ~ John Kirk, Trish Miller
Scottish Song +
Scottish music is known all over the world. We are going to explore some of the songs, some of the themes, and some of the prolific song writers who have spread the beauty of Scotland and its people across the globe. We will learn about Robert Burns and how the messages within his songs are remembered over 200 years after his death. We will also look at songs of love, freedom, protest, emigration, children's songs, and music hall songs and look at the very close links between the songs of Scotland and Ireland. Every class will be a concert and everyone who comes will be part of that concert, so bring your voice, your ears and whatever instrument you want. As they say in Scotland, we'll be 'gi'en it laldy'! Period 2 ~ Paul Creighton
Singing with Shelley Ensor
Take this rare opportunity to sing with vocalist, choral director and this year’s recipient of the Robert H. Chambers Award for Excellence in the Traditional Arts, Shelley Ensor. This will be a freewheeling, fun-loving class including gospel, blues, jazz, musicals, Motown and more. Pianist Alice Dorsey will accompany. Don’t pass up a chance to sing with Shelley! Period 4 ~ Shelley Ensor, Alice Dorsey
Songwriting: Parodies and Protest Songs
Channel your inner Weird Al Yankovic or Pete Seeger. Songs that make a point – through humor or serious commentary – have always been part of the fabric of America. We’ll aim to educate without preaching through songs that reflect our beliefs and wishes. Period 4 ~ David Morris
Women and the Blues
From Bessie Smith to Koko Taylor, Memphis Minnie to Bonnie Raitt, join this exciting class as we enjoy the vast contributions women have made to the blues - the foundation for popular American music. This is a class for guys, gals, and music lovers of all ages! This is going to be a fun-filled, educational experience. Be prepared to loosen up, clap your hands, sway to the rhythms, and sing the blues from the depths of your soul. Students are encouraged to compose their own 12-bar blues, with the option to perform in class on Friday. Period 4 ~ Eleanor Ellis, Lea Gilmore