"If I had a Song": Workshopping Songs in Progress that have a Political Edge" (Online workshop)

Registration Deadline

The deadline to register is Thursday, August 19 at 8:00 PM.  

Workshop Description

Pete Seeger said, "a song is not an editorial."  How can we get our message across without pontificating or resorting to clichés in lyrics and melody?  What is it about songs with a political edge that enables them to cut through convention and allow people to think new thoughts?

Writing songs that deliver a compelling message of social justice in ways that move people's hearts is both a political and artistic process that integrates analysis with feeling, rhythm, and style.  If you are somewhere in the middle of this process, and interested in receiving peer feedback on your own work in progress, then this workshop is for you.

This popular PMN workshop is an invitation to present your song-in-progress to a group of like-minded songwriters for feedback and critique.  We'll discuss "stars and wishes"  -- what works well, and where there's room for improvement.  We'll explore the songwriting process as we listen to each others' songs and discover, not only the components of an effective song, but how to give and receive positive and/or constructive feedback.

How to participate:

1. Registration is limited to no more than 7 participants, and we will take a waiting list.  Preference is given to first-time participants in the "If I had a Song" workshop series.
2. Submitting a lyric sheet of the song in progress is required at the time of registration.  If the lyrics change, then, no later than noon (ET) on the day of the workshop, please send one copy of the latest version as an attachment to BOTH ben.grosscup@peoplesmusic.org and patla42@gmail.com using subject line "Updated Lyrics for: If I had a Song".
3. Check for the email confirmation with details on how to connect to the Zoom video conference platform, which will be provided at least one day in advance of the session.

Workshop Facilitators:

• Pat Lamanna: Long-time member of PMN; award-winning singer-songwriter. Learned about this type of workshop at Summersongs, a songwriter’s retreat.   www.patlamanna.com

• Ben Grosscup:  Executive director of PMN; award-winning songwriter and parodist who sings about the ideas and values of the revolutionary social movements he’s part of at rallies, strikes, picket lines, and other events.  www.youtube.com/c/BenGrosscup

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