PMN Songwriters Peer Feedback Session: "If I had a Song" (Online workshop)

*** Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 27 at 10:00 PM. 

Workshop Description

If I had a song…

…that tells it like it is…

…that wakes people up…

…that shakes up the status quo…

…that stands the test of time…

…that asks hard questions...

...that lets us feel the world's pain...

…that reaches into people’s minds and hearts…

I’d sing it all over this land!

Does it take larger-than-life talent to create great political songs?  We think not.  The craft of songwriting requires skill, practice, hard work, and the willingness to listen: to really listen to how our words and music land with other people.

This popular PMN workshop, recently re-envisioned, is an invitation to present your song-in-progress to like-minded songwriters for feedback and critique.  In small groups, we’ll listen to each other’s songs and discover not only the components of an effective song, but how to give and receive positive and constructive feedback.

Requirements for Participation:

1. At the time of registration, 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 a song is finished and does not wish to do any further work on the song, it should not be submitted. 
2. The song you submit should connect with PMN’s mission of using music as a catalyst for a just and peaceful world.

1. 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.   You will receive a separate notification via google drive, which gives you the ability to make written comments on other people's lyrics.   This can be done before, during, or after the session.
2. SMALL GROUP BREAKOUTS: There is no wait list for the session.   During the session, we will break into small groups of 3-4 people each to share our songs and exchange feedback.  We will switch groups once to get different feedback on the song we're bringing from different people.

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:  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 Law:

• 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.