Wintersong Workshop offers songwriters the opportunity to network, hone their craft and receive feedback from experienced award-winning songwriters.

Session Topics

Songcatching and the Self
Songwriting, in essence, is the art of self expression. Songs vary in their impact according to how well the writer can deepen insight, and write from his or her unique experience and style of expression. This session will use discussion and practice to aid in the process of self-discovery as a way of writing. This workshop will also discuss writer's block as a means to songwriting, rather than an obstacle to songwriting.

The Hardest Part of Songwriting
is Getting Started
"I'm too busy to write. It won't be good enough anyway. Besides, I don't have an idea for a hook. And I'm too tired to write." Oh really???? Wake up and smell the songwriting, sissy pants. Your song is not going to write itself. That little voice in your head is just your internal editor, standing in the way of a potentially great song, written by YOU! In this session, we'll discuss how to get past being "stuck" and how to motivate yourself to get started, and where to find inspiration. Note: Wear your stompin' boots and plan to kick that little voice to the curb.

Grabbing the Listener's Ear
As a songwriter we have about 10 seconds to entice listeners to hear the rest of our song. In that context, how important is the musical introductions of our songs? This session will review some of the classic intros of timeless songs and use them to offer tips and strategies in crafting musical signatures for our songs.
Topics include:
• What makes a good introduction
• Famous intros
• Crafting a musical signature
• Recycling a musical intro throughout a song

Is Anybody Listening?
This will be a concise presentation on ways you can expose your songs, depending on your level and goals. In addition, we will review practical tips on being a songwriter, whether a hobby or profession. The workshop will include an opportunity for feedback from staff, so please bring your ideas, those bits of paper in the back of the drawer with your ideas on them, or just finished or unfinished songs, or just come as you are!

The Evening Concert
Guest and workshop participants are scheduled to perform on Saturday, March 10, 2011 at 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Additional tickets for the Songwriter's Showcase will be available in advance for $8.00 adults, $5.00 students (18 & under), and under 6 free. You can register online and securely pay by check, credit card, or PayPal through this website.

Full and partial scholarships are available to aspiring young country, folk and bluegrass songwriters who are high school juniors or seniors within Hamilton, Bledsoe, Bradley, Marion, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie Counties in Tennessee; and Catoosa, Dade, Walker, and Whitfield Counties in Georgia.