SWAMP SESSIONS SONGWRITER RETREATS AND WORKSHOPS
Presented by Danielle Howle "Artist in residence" for Awendaw Green and Swamp Sessions "Off The Grid" Sustainable Energy Music Project
Welcome Songwriters!
Songwriter Workshops require enrollment and tuition.
Working Songwriter Retreats require submissions.
Classes
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Depending upon student interests, your teachers and I will put together group and individual curriculum per Swamp Session. Below are some of the classes taught formerly, and one we are adding for the coming sessions. Swamp Sessions 2020 are: Jan 24-26/Feb 20-22/March 20-22 New Class We would like to offer a FUNDAMENTALS IN BEAT MAKING class. This is a fun way to explore, write songs, present them to other artists for rehearsal purposes, and more. Having this skill will open your song minds and help you relate to other artists. We welcome Cody Dixon, (founder of Soul Power) and member of "SpeakerBox") who is a staff engineer at Swamp Sessions and Awendaw Green. Past Classes 1. Lyric Writing "Write what you know"- mind/brain exercises play and grow, using your material. 2. Finding the Song's Melody - along with phrasing and cadence in your writing 3. Performance work - musical, technical, physical, emotional and financial avenues of performance will be experienced and explored 4. Chord voicing and arrangement - find the most interesting and unique ways to express your song on your instrument and through vocal choices. 5. Voice and body maintenance - How to thrive on tour and in daily life to make sure you and your body - instrument are running right 6. Putting it all together - An over-view of key points in classes, allowing students to recap, re-explore and delve deeper into their strengths, while observing personal future achievements THOUGHTS? What classes would you like to see at Swamp Sessions? |
What To Bring
- Your songs, bits of songs, lyrics, song ideas, musical ideas, journal + something to write with - Your instrument of choice. ( A motif 6 keyboard and several martin acoustic guitars will be available as needed) Requests for other instruments should be submitted in advance of Swamp Session. - An open mind - A positive attitude - Your favorite pillow and sleeping bag or blanket (beds provided) - Any personal items such as shampoo/toothbrush, etc... that make you feel comfortable - Outdoor clothing, 2 pairs of sturdy shoes (flip flops - not so much) - Yoga mat and suitable clothing (optional yoga class) WE DO NOT recommend bringing unstable instruments as the climate at the Swamp House is HUMID and changes dramatically. We are not held responsible for any damage to participant's instruments. CLOTHING NOTE: It can be cool at night in the low country, but it can also get rather warm in the day. We strongly suggest you bring a diverse assortment of clothing to meet changing climate needs. |
Meet Your Instructors for March 22-24 -2019
Danielle Howle Opening for diverse acts : Bob Dylan, Fugazi, Ani Difranco, Indigo Girls, Shellac, Hootie and The Blowfish, Darius Rucker, Patterson Hood, The Melvins, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Sarah McLaughlin, the Avett Brothers, Elliot Smith, Junior Brown, Howle has carved a D.I.Y. approach bringing folk, jazz, country and rock genres together to this day. A 25 year touring veteran with 15 albums in her catalog, she now tours solo and with her band and is “artist In Residence” at Awendaw Green. Howle has done guest lectures on songwriting and creativity at : Yale, Brown, Penn State, Columbia College, USC, UGA, and College of Charleston. Howle enjoys teaching young people about songwriting at various summer camps in the Charleston area. teaching residencies at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Morganton NC Middle school.
Cody Dixon
Slim S.O.U.L is a hip hop producer, musician, and poet as well as executive director and founder of Soul power productions, a non profit with a mission of arts advocacy and education to under served areas. Whether it's solo sets with his mpc and keyboard, or a full band with various local artist to create the S.O.U.L slim brings smooth 90s style boom bap together with eclectic soul and funk samples. He loves helping with lyrics or getting the frame work down for a new song.
Past Instructors
Caroline Aiken
carolineaiken.com
"Years of performing ,beginning in 1969 in NY, California, South America, NW and Europe, Caroline Aiken was named "The Best Acoustic Act" (Atlanta Mag) in her birth town of Atlanta, GA. Her rich history includes recording and performing with Bonnie Raitt and the Indigo Girls, opening for Arlo Guthrie, Muddy Waters, Doc Watson, Randy Newman, Little Feat, 38 Special, beach boys, Janis Ian, Richie Havens, and in the present she is headlining many national festivals, radio shows, workshops and concert series.
Caroline has taught her workshop " Zen and the Art of Performance" nationally and internationally;
Otis Redding Songwriter Camp - GA Music Hall of Fame
Shorndorfer Guitarentago - Germany
Swannanoa Gathering - NC
Summersongs - CA
Artichoke Music - OR
August State College, GA
Zach Bodtorf
Education: Jazz guitar performance and composition at The Fine Arts Center of Greenville, SC under Steve Watson. B.A. degree from College of Charleston, in Art's Management, specializing in music business and minoring in music theory. Zach's guitar skills and unique approach to composition keep him in demand as a collaborator in SC's music community. His band Firework Show, was voted Experimental Artist of the Year by Charleston City Paper magazine. Opened for The Whigs, Dead Confederate, Band of Skulls, Bloodkin and Jason Isbell. Working with Danielle Howle + Firework Show and Urban Praise, Zach uses his dives performance skills and guitar ability, seamlessly moving from one project to another. Garnering much respect, he played soul and blues in the New Moulin Rouge's house band for three years.
Cody Dixon
Slim S.O.U.L is a hip hop producer, musician, and poet as well as executive director and founder of Soul power productions, a non profit with a mission of arts advocacy and education to under served areas. Whether it's solo sets with his mpc and keyboard, or a full band with various local artist to create the S.O.U.L slim brings smooth 90s style boom bap together with eclectic soul and funk samples. He loves helping with lyrics or getting the frame work down for a new song.
Past Instructors
Caroline Aiken
carolineaiken.com
"Years of performing ,beginning in 1969 in NY, California, South America, NW and Europe, Caroline Aiken was named "The Best Acoustic Act" (Atlanta Mag) in her birth town of Atlanta, GA. Her rich history includes recording and performing with Bonnie Raitt and the Indigo Girls, opening for Arlo Guthrie, Muddy Waters, Doc Watson, Randy Newman, Little Feat, 38 Special, beach boys, Janis Ian, Richie Havens, and in the present she is headlining many national festivals, radio shows, workshops and concert series.
Caroline has taught her workshop " Zen and the Art of Performance" nationally and internationally;
Otis Redding Songwriter Camp - GA Music Hall of Fame
Shorndorfer Guitarentago - Germany
Swannanoa Gathering - NC
Summersongs - CA
Artichoke Music - OR
August State College, GA
Zach Bodtorf
Education: Jazz guitar performance and composition at The Fine Arts Center of Greenville, SC under Steve Watson. B.A. degree from College of Charleston, in Art's Management, specializing in music business and minoring in music theory. Zach's guitar skills and unique approach to composition keep him in demand as a collaborator in SC's music community. His band Firework Show, was voted Experimental Artist of the Year by Charleston City Paper magazine. Opened for The Whigs, Dead Confederate, Band of Skulls, Bloodkin and Jason Isbell. Working with Danielle Howle + Firework Show and Urban Praise, Zach uses his dives performance skills and guitar ability, seamlessly moving from one project to another. Garnering much respect, he played soul and blues in the New Moulin Rouge's house band for three years.
Transportation
Meet us at Awendaw Green in Awendaw, SC .We will car pool from there up historic highway 17 through the Francis Marion National Forest. If songwriters cannot make this meeting place NO WORRIES. We will work with you (with advance notice) to get you there. We prefer to leave a small footprint on this pristine environment and encourage you to carpool from Awendaw Green. My car will be on site throughout the weekend retreat for anyone needing to leave at anytime. All cars will be parked at Awendaw Green 40 minutes from the retreat.
Waivers and Forms
| swamp songwriters diet & medsheet.doc |
| songwriters retreat sharepage form.doc |
| liability_waiver-1_songwriters2019.doc |
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You will need to fill out your waiver and release forms (available on our website) and enrollment sheets. These forms, plus full payment are expected before the retreat begins. Your Swamp Leader, Danielle Howle will work with ANY concerns or requests you may have.
Other Retreat Events: Performance by your teachers Student Performance Optional: |