Songwriting Workshop led by Peter Halperin (at the VH Library)

This workshop explores ways in which we can facilitate this interaction between our thoughts and feelings to create songs.Get that song out of you and into the world! Join in this exciting songwriting opportunity led by Peter Halperin, who brought down the house at the Chilmark Jam last November. This series is brought to you in collaboration with the VH, WT and Chilmark Public Libraries.

Feb 8th
March 8th
April 12th
May 10th

Wednesdays, 2-4 PM Please contact amcdonough@clamsnet.org for Zoom link or come in person to the Program Area at the VHPL.

This workshop consists of 4 classes. Please try to attend all 4!

SESSION 1 Feb 8th
Songs harness the power of preconscious feelings and thoughts in the form of music and words.

We will explore techniques to tap into this reservoir and “invite” songs to come

Members will capture at least a fragment of a song with music and lyrics everyday.

SESSION 2 March 8th
What makes a “good song lyric” and “good song music” can only be understood in terms of how they interact with each other. Most great songs are made either from great poems or great pieces of music. It is how they come together that makes a successful song.

Members will write a complete song in week 2

SESSION 3 April 12th
Asking for inspiration from others and ourselves.

It’s not just ok to borrow musical and lyrical ideas, it’s inevitable! We will select words from a favorite poem or prose that members will write music for, and do the same selecting either a melody or chord progression from a favorite song or piece of music that they will write lyrics for.

Members will ask themselves “what is the most important thing for me to communicate in a song this week?” Having selected it, members will write that song during the week.

SESSION 4 May 10th
Songs must be sung!! Members will select one of the songs they have written during the 4 months and share it with or without instrumental accompaniment. When possible, we will all sing harmony with the songwriter.

This exciting songwriting opportunity will be led by Peter Halperin, who brought down the house at the Chilmark Jam last November.

This series is brought to you in collaboration with the VH, WT and Chilmark Public Libraries. This program will run both in person (at the VH library) and via Zoom but will not be recorded.