Songwriting Workshop with Emily Sprague (of Florist)

We’re thrilled to have Emily A. Sprague (of Florist) teaching our next songwriting workshop. Some words from Emily:

"I believe that music is a fundamental and essential part of life. One which anyone and anything can participate in. The song: an outpouring of contained emotion or experience painted on the air. Real little moments captured, sent through the void of self then into the terrible and beautiful expanding consciousness of other roaming singular perceptions. Melody stitching wor(l)ds together. Deeper language. Creating the ever important connection.

Learning more about each other <-> Learning more about ourselves.

My goal for this School Of Song class is to break through the castle walls into where our deepest feelings slumber. With daily practice and prompts I hope we can all create a few new questions to never answer, send ourselves a musical love letter, have a conversation with someone we don’t know but maybe will, observe the illusions, and bask in the lovely mystery of this craft.

Not everything can be defined, and not everything should be. Structures can be deconstructed into something new. It is not always easy or lighthearted. There is something on the other side worth knowing. Give simplicity a chance to talk to you.

As songwriters I do think we have a responsibility to, with humility and helplessness, use this language as an act of empathy and caregiving from the omnipresent altar we choose to stand on. With hard truth or celebration or dancing or tears or something completely strange and unrecognizably new. A song is something to share.

- Emily Sprague

In Emily's workshop, we will embark on a month-long journey examining songwriting through three stages: songwriting and the self, songwriting in relationship (empathy), and songwriting in collaboration with the world at large. We’ll talk about putting into song what you don’t yet know how to say, and look at music as an extension of the mind and body.

You'll write 4 original songs using the techniques and perspectives Emily presents in lecture.

Sign up now! Deadline is Saturday, November 30 at 11:59pm (PT).

Here's how it works:

• Workshop is taught over Zoom on the following dates:
  • Lectures: December 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd
  • Q&As: December 5th, 11th and 18th
  • Song-Shares: December 7th, 14th and 21st
  .
• There are 2 options for lecture times: 11a-12p and 6p-7p PT. Q&A is at 6p PT. Song-share options are 11a and 6p PT.
• If you can't make the live class, you can still participate by watching the recordings of lecture (sent out after class).

Sign up with a friend to receive a 20% discount by clicking here. Note: no refunds on discounted order.

FAQ:

Q: What musical experience should I have?

A: People across all musical levels will be able to gain something from the course. However, it will be helpful to be comfortable playing a few basic chords on any instrument of your choice.

Q: What if I’ve never written a song before? Can I still participate in this workshop?

A: Yes! As with any new skill, just starting is usually the hardest part. This workshop will provide the structure and accountability we all need to get started and follow through, for beginners and old guard writers alike.

Q: Will Emily give me feedback on my songs?

A: Due to the class size, we cannot guarantee that you’ll get Emily's feedback on your songs. However, our teachers are active on our song sharing platform and may leave comments on students’ submissions.

Q: I can't make the lecture times for some (or all) of the classes. Can I still participate?

A: Yes! We send out the recordings of lecture at the end of each class day, so you can watch the lectures on your own time.

If after the first class you feel the course is not a good fit for any reason, you are welcome to a refund on the rest of the course classes. We are unable to process refunds after the second class.

Questions? Email us at hi@schoolofsong.org.