WORKSHOPS
Making original music collectively is less common in today’s Western cultures than it was in ancient times. Yet the impulse and capacity to sing, dance, tell stories, and pass on wisdom to future generations is still alive within us; it can be accessed and expressed through ritual and performance (the oral tradition), and through the many ethnic traditions which make up society’s diverse roots.
Songwriting Works™ offers participants of all ages an unique opportunity. Elders, youth, families, caregivers, artists, clergy and others find new ways to explore and celebrate identity, sense of place, time, and culture. They collaborate with professional songwriters skilled at drawing out their stories, humor, wisdom,
imagination, hopes and dreams. The process and resulting songs
are profoundly life-affirming, giving voice to those who most acutely need to be seen, heard,
honored, and celebrated.
Participants compose original, memorable song
with their peers that wholly reflect their own words and music. No formal music background is required.
Composing together dissolves the
division between trained experts
and “everyday folks” as everyone unites around a common goal: to write a meaningfu song which can be widely shared.
Songwriting Works’ failure-free approach taps into the wealth of creativity that is in all of us.
The experience can evokes laughter and tears. It is sometimes referred to as “therapeutic” and in fact,
scientific studies prove participation in hands-on art and
music-making experiences can have positive physical and cognitive as well as social,
emotional, and spiritual benefits. The
prime intention of the Songwriting Works experience is to fully engage each participant's musical and creative intelligence, create access
for expression and development, and restore the power of music back into people's lives and the culture at large.
Read more about Songwriting Works programs, workshops, trainings and consulting offered by founder Judith-Kate Friedman and associates in 2013-14 here.
Or contact us to find out more about how Songwriting Works can have a positive impact in your life and community.