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• Songs of the Spirit (Participatory Singing)

  • When
    03/22/2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81397100894?pwd=kNIRBSkVnUX20E2R0QU1askvP6JyPw.1

  Register

  Host: Verne McArthur

  Registration

  Registration is free to all members of PMN. Not a member? Check out our inclusive sliding scale membership policy.

  When you register, you will receive an e-mail with a link to a private Zoom meeting.

  Description

  Come join in this shared experience of Community and Heart. You're invited to enjoy a (digital) circle where inspirational and empowering songs from many traditions rise up from the group. Singers offer a song one by one without instruments or song sheets. These are songs that people know or can learn easily without requiring a lot of teaching.

  In this online event, we are drawing upon the tradition of Songs of the Spirit, which has been a consistent feature of PMN/SFS Gatherings since 1977. One person will sing and others will sing along. Please mute yourself while the one person is singing, allowing us to at least see each other as we fill our separate physical spaces with music.

  Between songs, we pause, breathe and feel the energy and connection of the group. We recognize that the silence is also sacred. In avoiding the urgency to fill a space with song, once we finally do fill a space with song, that song sinks in more deeply.

  This is a wonderful opportunity to build community, to harmonize (in your own home), and to ground ourselves for the day and the week to come.

  Songs of the Spirit will not be recorded since the goal is to focus on the present moment.

  If you have questions, please contact the coordinator:

  • Joanne Tuller <sc-tuller@peoplesmusic.org> 
    

  SPECIAL INVITATIONS:  If you know someone who would enjoy Songs of the Spirit, but they are not a PMN member, you can invite them to participate!  Simply contact Joanne Tuller <sc-tuller@peoplesmusic.org> .  She will send easy instructions for inviting guests to join us.
  

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• March 23, 2026 - PMN Songwriters Peer Feedback Session: "If I had a Song" (Zoom only)

  • When
    03/23/2026
  •  
    7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom meeting info provided after registration. Confirmation provided by Eric Law <ehflaw@gmail.com> on day of workshop.

  Register

  

  *** Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 22nd, 2026 at 10:00 PM (Eastern). 

  Workshop Description

  Songwriters in People's Music Network strive to write songs that wake people up, challenge the status quo, and reach people’s hearts and minds. We don't believe it takes larger-than-life talent to create powerful songs. Rather, the craft of songwriting involves skill, practice, hard work, and the willingness to listen to how our words and music land with others.

  Through our monthly “If I Had a Song” workshops, PMN is building a loving and supportive creative community that provides songwriters with the honest listening we need. Participants present a song-in-progress to like-minded songwriters, and then receive constructive feedback. We’d love to have you join us.

  BREAKOUT GROUPS:  During the session, we'll break into groups of 4-5 songwriters presenting songs-in-progress.  Each presenting songwriter gets 15 minutes to share their song and receive peer critique from the group.  We'll explore giving and receiving kind, truthful and supportive feedback, while striving to make our songs more effective.  One may register for the workshop as a supporting songwriter to listen and give feedback.  Breakout groups may have 1-3 supporting songwriters.
  

  LYRIC SHARING: On the day of the workshop, all confirmed registrants will receive an email containing the Zoom link plus a link to a Google Drive folder.  Confirmed registrants will receive a separate notification via Google Drive, which gives you the ability to make written comments on other people's lyrics-in-progress.  This can be done before, during, or after the session.

  Requirements for Participation:
  

  There is no wait list for the session.  Every registrant who meets the following requirements will be confirmed to present a song in progress for peer critique: 
  

  1. At the time of registration, if you are bringing a song to the group for critique, you must submit a lyric sheet of an original song in progress.  This means 1) you wrote the lyrics and 2) your intention is to get feedback from others to help you do further work on your song to improve it. If the songwriter believes their song is finished and does not intend to do further work on the song, it should not be submitted. 
  2. The song-in-progress you submit should connect with PMN’s mission of using music as a catalyst for a just and peaceful world.

  Eligibility to Participate:

  Participants in this workshop must:

  1. be PMN members in good standing* 
  2. register using this form
  3. have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone.

  * If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN

  Workshop Facilitators:

  • Marcie Boyd is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, teacher, activist, and longtime PMN member.  She lives in Berkeley, CA, where she sings with Occupella and the LaPeña Chorus.
  • Steve Deasy:  Award-winning American-Canadian performing songwriter, producer and arranger; socially conscious in the tradition of Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger with contemporary musicality.  PMN Steering Committee member. www.stevedeasy.com
  • Eric H. F. Law: Singer/songwriter, visual artist, Episcopal Priest, author of over 10 books on building justice and inclusive communities and founder of the Kaleidoscope Institute for diverse and sustainable communities. PMN Steering committee member.  https://erichflaw.hearnow.com/

  • Joanie Calem is a musician, singer/songwriter, storyteller, disability awareness activist, community-builder, cross-cultural worker and teacher. She has been teaching music and performing since 1983. Joanie uses music to break down stereotypes, build community and foster connection.
    

  • Barbara Dyskant is a singer, writer of songs both serious and mischievous, and pianist playing many musical styles, who hopes for a better world for all. A longtime PMN member, Barbara enjoys a generous helping of joy and humor in the midst of it all and loves interacting with other songwriters and musicians.

  FACILITATORS EXPLAIN THIS PROCESS

  Watch our 3 minute video explaining how members of the People's Music Network are building a community of peers who are writing songs for social change: 

  
  

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