UK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE - Songwriting with Helen Chadwick, Helen Chadwick, Hawkwood College, 13 Feb 2015
A word from Helen:
This will be the fourth year at Hawkwood and so far we have had a wonderfully fun and creative time both years . You don't need musical training as we create songs by improvising and remember them by recording them . People work for short periods of time creating tunes and then helping each other create harmonies.
***No writing or reading of music is needed but it's important that participants can listen and learn by ear and hold their own part when singing in harmony.***
You can bring some short text you might like to make into a song and bring something to record and play back on like a smart phone or mini disc or tape recorder. Musical instruments are also very welcome.
Former participant Katie Lloyd-Nunn comments:
I was lucky enough to do the first course with Helen and it really is great - really fun, encouraging, inclusive and you learn so much from the other people on the course. You start off gently with one or two phrases perhaps and build up over the weekend, helping each other along. There's also lots of singing as you sing each other's phrases and songs and make harmonies. Hawkwood is warm and welcoming and friendly with a very positive ethos. The grounds and views are beautiful and can inspire ideas, too.
A creative, rewarding and accessible weekend for anyone who would like to try composing songs. Starting with simple phrases and harmonies, we will build up songs in different ways, working individually, in pairs and in small groups. Bring along any texts or poems you would like to compose into songs, and musical instruments are welcome too.
Please bring a recording device and music manuscript paper if you use it.
Course times: registration 4pm-6pm Friday; course ends 4pm on Sunday
Residential single £250; shared £220; non-res £175 course fees include delicious meals and refreshments
“The songwriting weekend with Helen Chadwick was a very powerful experience. I not only managed to write an original song about an issue of importance to me (verses, chorus, bridge, etc.) under Helen's tuition, but in sifting through my ideas to accomplish this end, I found I had clarified my thoughts about the subject, and reached some new understanding. I don't think I can explain any more clearly and maybe I just need another course ... I'll certainly do another course with Helen if it is offered.” – Celia H. March 2013
Helen Chadwick is a performance creator, singer and composer whose work has been commissioned by the Royal Opera House, English Touring Opera and the BBC. She has written over 250 songs and has recorded 10 albums.
