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  Bill Pere:  Executive Director

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A History of CSA: The First Decade (1979-1989)

What is Song Craft ?

Why Join CSA ?

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Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting

Interested in a weekend Songwriting Retreat?
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Would you be interested in attending a weekend Songwriter Retreat?
(details here)

 

Songcrafters' Coloring Book
SONGWRITING RETREAT
Take control of your creative process!
You will see songwriting in a whole new way and experience a
level of creative control you never thought possible!

 

INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION

(Limited exclusively to 12 slots; The earlier you register, the larger your discount will be, and you'll guarantee your place. An additional discount applies for members of CSA, Songsalive, or Indiegrrl).

Registration now open.  Limited to 12 slots.

( Registration form is below )

When: March 19-21, 2010 (3pm Friday Mar 19 to 11am Sunday Mar 21)

Where: Meyer Retreat Center at Camp Wightman

North Stonington, CT (directions…)

(See more in the FAQ's below)

WHAT:  A weekend of total immersion into the world of songwriting, in a beautiful rustic setting that is conducive to learning and creating new things.

You will get a College Level Master Class in all aspects of the craft and business of songwriting, based on the groundbreaking concepts of "Songcrafters' Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting". Guaranteed to give you practical and actionable tools and techniques for helping you optimize your songs and take your writing to a new level.  This concentrated immersion in the songcrafting process will provide more information in 2 days than you would get in several years of monthly CSA meetings.

Four good meals and 2 nights of comfortable lodging are all included, so you do not have to think about anything but your music. 

 

WHO:  Conducted by author of "Songcrafters' Coloring Book", Bill Pere, named one of the Top 50 Innovators and Guiding Lights of the Music Industry" by Music Connection Magazine.

The information and insight presented here was developed exclusively by Bill in more than 30 years of working with thousands of songwriters, including many of the top names in the industry and is not available anywhere else. You will not find more down-to-earth, practical, and well-researched information under any one roof. Many of these techniques have never been presented before, anywhere.

There will be additional workshops with vocal and creativity coach Kay Pere.  Bill and Kay have won numerous national awards and are regular presenters at national songwriting conferences and workshops, from coast to coast.  They collectively have more than 50 years of experience in the music business.

 

FAQ:

1. What level of writer or style of music is this suitable for?
2. What are some of the topics that will be covered?
3. Will there be time for informal song sharing and performing?
4. Will we have song critiques?
5. What will the schedule be like?
6. What are the facilities like?
7. What are the sleeping facilities?
8. What are the meals like, and can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
9. Can I bring food?
10. Does the camp have cell and internet service?
11. Can I go walking along the lake and trails?
12. What if there is snow?

13. Is the facility wheelchair/handicapped accessible?

      Floor Plan of the Retreat Building                     Registration Form
 

1. What level of writer or style of music is this suitable for?

The concepts presented here are designed to work across any style of music, for any target audience. These techniques can be applied by any songwriter, whether they are just beginning or whether they have been writing for many years. The goal is to take whatever level you are at, and elevate it to a new place.

2. What are some of the topics that will be covered?

We will look at the four main groups of songwriting parameters:  The semantic, phonetic, prosodic, and music elements, and how to improve the effect of each of these in your writing. We'll look at how each of these affects an audience, and how you can make informed choices about how you want your songs to be received.

In the area of song pitching and promotion, we'll look at the powerful concepts of Ullage and the Four Faders, and how these can become part of your songcrafting process.

We will look at Level-3 critiquing and Song Mapping, and how you can learn to more objectively analyze your own songs.

We'll do individual mentoring, vocal coaching, and address any topic that you want to have covered, in the time we have.

3. Will there be time for informal song sharing and performing?

Absolutely! Workshops by day; Enjoying each others' music by night! Sound system provided.

4. Will we have song critiques?

Many of the examples used in the workshops will come from the songs that you bring with you. And yes, we will do regular, in-depth critiques as well.

5. What will the schedule be like?

A general overview would be something like:

FRIDAY:
3pm - Workshop Session 3-5pm
Dinner – 5-6pm
Evening: informal song-sharing and individual mentoring/coaching

SATURDAY:
Breakfast
Morning workshop sessions 9:30-12:00
Lunch 12-1
Afternoon workshop sessions 1-4pm
Free time (enjoy the camp, collaborate, mentoring) 4-5pm
Dinner – 5-6pm
Evening: informal song-sharing; individual mentoring/critiquing

SUNDAY:

Breakfast
9:30-11: Review and Wrap-up Session


For some of the specific workshop topics, see the
table of contents of Songcrafters' Coloring Book.  The precise topics will be determined by the group.

 

6. What are the facilities like?

Camp Wightman is a 260-acre camping and retreat facility owned and operated by the American Baptist Churches of Connecticut.

It is a wooded, natural environment on Billings Lake. There will be no traffic noise, no bright lights, no distractions other than birds and wildlife. The camp entrance is almost 2 miles off the main road, into the woods.

The retreat house is fully modernized, with kitchenette, 2 full baths, individual thermostats in the bedrooms, and a central meeting room with woodstove.

Just across from our retreat building is the dining hall where meals are served, and a large program room which we will be using for some of the workshops.

There is also a fist aid facility, and several other retreat houses for other groups.


The retreat building -exterior


The retreat building - interior

 

7. What are the sleeping facilities?


A typical bedroom

The retreat house has 4 bedrooms for the participants, each of which sleep 3-4 people, so you'll likely have room mates.   The beds are comfortable. Each bedroom has its own thermostat.

The beds are made up with a fitted bottom sheet, a blanket and a pillow and pillow case. You'll need to bring your own top sheet, and any other covers/sleeping bag. Remember that although this is the first weekend of Spring, it's still March and will likely be on the cool side.



In addition to the retreat house, we will be using the separate facilities in the dining hall and the program hall.

 

8. What are the meals like, and can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

The camp has an excellent food service (I've eaten more than 100 meals there). Meals are tasty and filling, standard family fare.

IF YOU HAVE ANY DIETARY RESTRICTIONS: The camp will make every effort to accommodate dietary restrictions like Vegetarian preferences, or food allergies as long as we have that information by March 1. After that, we cannot guarantee that they can meet your needs. Please get any food restriction information to us by March 1.

9. Can I bring food?

The retreat house has a full kitchenette. Our meals are provided for all of Saturday and for Sunday morning. We will all bring something for a shared Friday evening meal.

You may bring additional food if you wish, and you can certainly bring snacks to share.

NOTE: CAMP RULE and CSA RULE: Absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted on the retreat grounds. Also, there is no smoking in any of the buildings.

10. Does the camp have cell and internet service?

Most cell phones work at camp. Since we are in the woods, it depends on your carrier, but you'll probably be able to find a working spot if not right at the retreat house. There is a wireless internet network in the dining hall and program hall.

11. Can I go walking along the lake and trails?

Yes, you have free access to all 260 acres if you want to find some inspiration in nature.

12. What if there is snow?

Hopefully, by the first weekend in Spring, we won't have any, but, it is certainly possible. As long as the Camp makes the road accessible, we will hold the retreat, as we have indoor, winterized facilities. If the Camp cannot make the road accessible, they will refund all payments. We will post any relevant information on the website, and provide a phone contact for all registrants to check on status.

13. Is the facility wheelchair/handicapped accessible?

Unfortunately, being in a rustic woodland setting and moving among different buildings, the facility does not readily lend itself to wheelchair/handicap accessibility.   If you need very specific information,  contact us at info@ctsongwriting.com.

READY TO REGISTER?

Register early for maximum discount and to guarantee your place. Only 12 slots available!

COSTS: Includes lodging for 2 nights, 4 meals, all workshops.
Note: If you have to arrive late or leave early, we cannot make cost adjustments).

Member rate is for active members of CSA, Songalive, Indiegrrl
(if you are not a current CSA member and would like to join, go here)

(Sept 1 – Nov 31)       Member Rate = $129    Non-member = $142
(Dec 1 – Feb 28)         Member Rate = $135   Non-member = $149
(Mar 1 – Mar 15)        Member Rate = $142   Non Member = $155

Three ways to Register, for your maximum convenience and security:

1.  PAYPAL SECURE REGISTRATION HERE

Destination:

2:  VISA/MASTERCARD SECURE REGISTRATION  HERE

3:  BY MAIL:
     Send check or Money Order payable to CSA, PO Box 511, Mystic CT 06355
     You must include your e-mail address, phone number,  street address,
      and member ID #  (if you are a member of CSA, Indiegrrl, or Songsalive).

AFTER YOU REGISTER,  you will be contacted by e-mail so that we can get some additional information about you, to make your retreat experience as rewarding as possible.

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REFUND POLICY:

(a) If the retreat is cancelled for any reason, you will receive a full refund.
(b) If the retreat is held but you cannot attend, if you give  advance notice by January 1, 2010
you will receive a full refund. After January 1, 2010, payments are non-refundable.
However, if you cannot attend, you can transfer your spot to someone else, as long as we know that right
away, so that your spot isn’t already given to someone on the waiting list.

You've got lots of time to plan ahead to arrange your schedule and budget to take advantage of this opportunity.

Register early for maximum discount and to guarantee your place.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
Questions?  E-mail info @ ctsongwriting . com

 

 

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PO Box 511 Mystic CT 06355  -- 
E-Mail: info @ ctsongwriting . com