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INFORMATION for the CSASongwriting Retreat
(FAQ, REVIEWS, and Registration info below)
"LIFE-CHANGING" -- "TRANSFORMATIVE" -- "AFFIRMING" -- "INSPIRATIONAL" -- "MOTIVATING" -- "WOW!
LIMITED TO 12 SLOTS FOR INDIVIDUALIZED ATTENTION
( info@ctsongs.com )
(The earlier you
register, the larger your discount will be, and you'll guarantee your place.
Member discount applies for members of CSA, RISA, NSAI, or Songsalive).
The Songwriting Retreats have brought artists from thousands of miles and 14 states + Canada to what has been
described by several as "Life-Changing" , "Transformative", and "Inspirational !"
Come and find yourself transformed!
PHOTOS AND REVIEWS: (2010)
(2011)
(2012) (2013)
(2014) (2015) (2016) (2017) (2018) (2019)
HOW CAN WE KEEP THE COST SO LOW? Both CSA and Camp Wightman are nonprofit organizations, which helps keep costs down.
In addition, we get a grant that allows us to underwrite most of the cost, so that we casn make this program available to to our fellow songwriters at a fraction
of what similar programs typically charge.
WHEN: The next retreat be in April of 2021
WHERE: The Retreat Center at Camp Wightman, 207 Coal Pit Hill Rd,
Griswold 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.
A window into your own
creative self like you've never had before.
You will get College Level Master Classes 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",
plus real Level 3 critiques of your songs.
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 meetings and workshops.
Good meals and 2 nights of comfortable lodging are all included, so
you do not have to think about anything but your music.
Folks ask how we can offer all that for such a small cost?
There are 3 things that allow us to provide this at one-tenth the cost of similar retreats:
--
CSA is a non-profit educational organization. The primary mission is to help songwwriters and artists reach their goals.
-- Camp Wightman is a non-profit
retreat center, in a beautiful wooded lakeside setting. (See FAQ below)
-- Part of the program is supported by grants.
Thus, you get a
complete high quality retreat experience at a tiny fraction of what many other retreats charge.
WHO: Conducted by Grammy Winner and author of the internationally-used songwriting rreference "Songcrafters'
Coloring Book",
Bill Pere,
named one of the Top 50 Innovators and Guiding Lights of the Music Industry"
by Music Connection Magazine, and
Kay Pere, nationally
known vocal and creativity coach, and Nashville recording artist (See
Bios for Bill and Kay )
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.
Bill is widely known as one of the best songwriting coaches and critiquers
in the industry today.
There will also be sessions with nationally known 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 have others said about the retreat?
6. What will the schedule be like?
7. What are the facilities like?
8. What are the sleeping facilities?
9. What are the meals like, and can dietary restrictions be
accommodated?
10. Can I bring food?
11. Does the camp have cell and internet service?
12. Can I go walking along the lake and trails?
13. What if there is snow?
14. Is the facility wheelchair/handicapped accessible?
15. How do I get there?
16. Are pets allowed??
17. How do I register?
Floor Plan of the
Retreat Building
(note -- we now have upgraded facilities
which are bigger and better than what is shown here)
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 five main groups of songwriting parameters: The
semantic, phonetic, prosodic, structural 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 and creativity 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!
4. Will we have song presentations and critiques?
The evening time is reserved for presenting your songs (live or recorded) for constructiuve feedback.
We will also schedule one-on-one in-depth critiques with you at your
request.
5.
What have others said about the retreat?
Check out the photos and reactions here: (2010)
(2011)
(2012) (2013) (2014) (2015) (2016) (2017)
6. What will the schedule be
like?
A general overview of the schedule:
FRIDAY:
1pm-3pm - Informal discussion, social time, introductions
Workshop Sessions 3-6pm
Dinner – 6-7pm
Evening: informal song-sharing and individual mentoring/coaching
SATURDAY:
Breakfast - 8am
Morning workshop sessions 9:00-12:00
Lunch 12-1
Free time (enjoy the camp, collaborate, mentoring) 1-2pm
Afternoon workshop sessions 2-6pm
Dinner – 6pm
Evening: informal song-sharing; individual mentoring/critiquing
SUNDAY:
Breakfast
Collaborative Writing Session 9-11:30
Cleanup and departure 11:30-12:00
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 but will include
prosodic, sonic, semantic, and music parameters, collaboration, business
considerations, and brand promotion. There will also be workshops
on vocal technique and creativity coaching, led by Kay. One-on-one time is available for everyone if requested.
7. What are the facilities
like? (note: For this year, we have bigger and better upgraded facilities)
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 kitchen, 2 full baths with showers,
individual thermostats in the bedrooms, and a central meeting room with
fireplace.
A short walk from our retreat building is the dining hall where meals are
served, and a large program room which we may use for
some of the
workshops.
There is also a first aid facility, and several other retreat houses for
other groups.
|
The retreat building -exterior |
The retreat building - interior |
8. What are the sleeping
facilities?
A typical bedroom
The retreat house has several bedrooms for the participants, each of which
sleep up to 3 people, so you'll likely have room mates. The beds are
comfortable. Each bedroom has its own thermostat. (Note -- the larger retreat hiouse, which we will be using, has bunk beds)
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 early Spring, it's likely be on the cool side.
Thiis is the small retreat building layout. We will have much more space than this in the larger building.
In addition to the retreat house, we will be using the separate facilities
in the dining hall and the program hall.
(more photos
here)
9. What are the meals like, and
can dietary restrictions be accommodated?
The camp has an excellent food service (Kay and Bill have eaten more than 100 meals
there).
Meals are tasty and filling, , homecooked family fare, buffet-style.
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 in advance. After that,
we cannot guarantee that they can meet your needs. Please get any food
restriction information to us as soon as possible.
10. Can I bring food?
The retreat house has a full kitchen. Our meals are provided at the Dining Hall for all
of Saturday and for Sunday morning.
You should bring something for a shared
Friday evening pot-luck meal that we provide for ourselves. (It's quite a banquet each year !)
Please be aware of others' food allergies, and if possible, label your ingredients so fols know if it's okay for them to eat.
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.
11. 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
buildings.
12. 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.
13. What if there is snow?
Hopefully, by this time in Spring, we won't have any, but, it is 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.
14. 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. We are sorry about that. If you need very specific
information, contact us at info@ctsongwriting.com.
15. How Do I Get There?
Camp Wightman is located in North Stonington CT. If you are
driving, you will receive detailed directions in your registration package.
If you are using public transportation, the Camp is just a 5-minute taxi
ride from Foxwoods Resort Casino, which is a major destination. If you
get to Foxwoods, it's easy to get a taxi or Uber for the short ride over to the
camp. To get to Foxwoods, go to the Foxwoods website and at the bottom is a
link for "Getting Here". Foxwoods is 45 minutes from either
Bradley Airport in Hartford, or TF Greene Airport in Providence. It's
easiest to rent a car from the airport, but there are also shuttles from
the airports and bus connections from New York City
to Foxwoods.You can call Foxwoods and get more details. directions…
READY TO REGISTER?
ALL SLOTS USUALLY FILL IN ADVANCE, SO REGISTER EARLY!
AFTER FEBRUARY 15 PLEASE EMAIL US FIRST TO SEE IF ANY SLOTS ARE STILL OPEN (info@ctsongs.com)
Limited to 12 slots for your individual attention.
COSTS: The cost listed below
includes lodging for 2
nights, meals, and all workshops.
This is one of the best values in the music industry today!.
Note: If you have to arrive late or leave early, we
cannot make cost adjustments).
Also, please read the refund policy below if you register but cannot attend.
Member rate is for active members of
CSA, Songsalive, RISA, IMC, NSAI
(if you are not a
current CSA member and would like to join, go
here)
You may register online or by mail.
To Register by mail. send check based on the rates below to: CSA, PO Box 511, Mystic CT
06355.
You must provide full contact info, including an e-mail address
After February 15, PLEASE E-MAIL at INFO@CTSONGS.COM to CHECK AVAILABILITY OF OPEN SLOTS
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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
you will receive a full refund. After January 1, 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.
To order a copy of "Songcrafters Coloring Book" go
here
FOR RETREAT PHOTOS AND REACTIONS:
(2010)
(2011)
(2012) (2013) (2014) (2015) (2016) (2017) (2018) (2019)
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
Questions? E-mail info @ ctsongwriting . com
"LIFE-CHANGING" -- "TRANSFORMATIVE" -- "AFFIRMING" -- "INSPIRATIONAL" -- "MOTIVATING" -- "WOW!
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