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

*** Registration Deadline: Sunday, May 22 at 10:00 PM. 

Workshop Description

If I had a song…

…that wakes people up…

…that challenges 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!

Songwriters active in the People's Music Network strive to write songs like these.  We love to hear and sing them, and we don't believe it takes larger-than-life talent to create them.  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 others. This popular PMN workshop is an invitation to present your song-in-progress to like-minded songwriters for feedback and critique. 

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:  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.

INVITE ANOTHER SONGWRITER TO THIS WORKSHOP

Help us build the community social change songwriters offering one another peer support!  Share the Facebook Event and invite friends:  

https://www.facebook.com/events/364754498795427

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: