Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, song writing is, and will always be, a PROCESS. Julia Cameron says “writing is like breathing, it’s possible to learn to do it well, but the point is to do it no matter what.” At The Song Weavery meetups, you can present your song in any phase of its development! Whether it’s an embryonic idea or a completed ‘master piece’, we’ll provide you with the perfect sounding board to expand your body of work. Each session starts with a fun writing exercise to get the creative juices flowing. Members also exchange helpful tips for increasing songwriting revenue, with industry representatives regularly dropping in to inform of the latest developments in the music business. The Song Weavery is not genre-specific, therefore we welcome ALL styles! If you’re tired of working in isolation and wish to dramatically increase your creative output, sign up NOW for our next meetup in The Rocks!
The Song Weavery
SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP
Ongoing (through Meetup.Com)
The creative process: fishing for ideas, methods for improved lyric writing, lyric analysis, imaginative choices for harmony, some basic music theory, constructing expressive melodies, interesting choices for rhyme, adhering to radio format, as well as some ‘songwriters’ psychology': how to deal with criticism, fame, avoid perfectionism and finding your ‘true north’.
Get to know the music business: how to register your material, understanding royalties, identifying income streams, distribution methods, writing a marketing plan, music publishing, new developments in social media, and effective music administration.
Get a chance to demonstrate your work and open it to constructive criticism within a safe, nurturing setting.
HOW MUCH?
SONGWRITING GROUP
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- A basic knowledge of grammar (e.g., the ability to identify verbs, nouns, adverbs, etc) certainly helps as well as some basic skills on guitar or piano/keyboard.
- If you don’t play an instrument and would like to write lyrics only, you can team up with an instrumentalist, sourced either from within the course, or externally.
- You can present your songs either as a live performance by you or someone else, or 2) a recording of yourself or someone else.
- Scholarships are available for creators of Australian indigenous music. To apply, email shine@borntoshine.com.au
“So glad I joined. Great teacher, great company. Entertainingly educational.” – Paul Larkin
ABOUT PHILIP
PHILIP DE VILLIERS (B.A. Honours Live Performance, AFDA)
A visionary music entrepreneur at the forefront of developing inspired talent and showcasing it to the world. Since 2007, Philip has worked closely with labels such as Universal Music to develop artists who have become successful on the global circuit. In 2016 he launched his new Australian venture, ‘Born To Shine’, to equip aspiring stars with superior skills and a clear vision for their brand. Through ‘Born To Sing’, two weekly singing workshops in The Rocks and the Upper North Shore, and ‘The Song Weavery,’ a weekly songwriting workshop, he is actively building music communities on both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Philip is a graduate of AFDA, South Africa’s most renowned film and live performance school. As a musician in his own right, he has received two songwriting awards, and his debut album received substantial airplay on radio and television. In 2009 Philip produced and arranged a song that was licensed for the 2013 HBO film ‘Mary & Martha’ starring Hilary Swank. In 2012, he secured the feature film role of African singing legend Miriam Makeba for his client Nomfusi Gotyana in the international blockbuster ‘Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom’. Ms Gotyana attended the première in Hollywood alongside leading stars, Idris Elba and Naomie Harris. She then went on to perform live at the European movie première in Berlin.
