Songwriting in the High Sierra
Dates: June 23-28, 2024
Instructor: Jenner Fox
Fee: $500.00 + meals and accommodations fees
Term: Summer 2024
To register:
Click: "Registration" tab.
Click: "click here to register for summer 2024"
Click: General Public : Sierra Nevada Field campus registration
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Workshop Description
This will be a small group workshop dedicated to the craft of songwriting. Come prepared to write songs, share, and dig deep. We will work with our personal experiences and inspiration from the beautiful surroundings at the Sierra Nevada Field Campus to write from prompts, explore our individual "taste," dissect the songs we love, share our original songs, and support each other in our musical journeys.
All genres welcome. Some musical experience encouraged! (I.E. "I know three chords on a Ukulele" to "I have a PHD in classical conducting and a grammy")
From Jenner: I have been fortunate to build a career in the music industry, with 6 albums, collaborations with some of my musical heroes, and opportunities to inspire and teach songwriters of all ages and abilities. For over 7 years, I have developed curriculum for songwriters with diverse musical abilities and tastes, and I have taught in schools, arts organizations, music festivals, correctional facilities, and to individuals and groups in my own private instruction. In every setting we make time to actually write. I believe this is where the learning happens. In witnessing hundreds of songs being born (my own and my students), I have recognized writing and feedback strategies that work and those that do not, challenges and strengths of countless songwriters, and some simple principles that allow us to break through.
Instructor Bio
There is something that happens inside a good song. A tootsie roll can take you back to your
elementary school playground; a list of baby names becomes a prayer; the voice of a toothless
refrigerator man reminds you to say “I love you.” Jenner Fox tells the stories of people and places with
unparalleled compassion and respect. His artful tone, poetry, and fluency on his guitar do something
only the brave ones do: let us in. Jenner leads songwriting workshops, camps, and individual sessions with songwriters from middle
school to retirement, and first timers to life-timers.
Workshop Schedule
Sunday: Arrive between 2 and 5pm for check-in and setting up camp. Arrival dinner at 6 followed by introductions and evening writing.
Monday-Thursday We will engage in writing sessions each morning and afternoon, at the field campus and at offsite locations depending on the interest of the group.
Thursday evening, we will give a song celebration sharing for the field campus community.
Friday: Morning writing session and closing; class will end by 11am.
Workshop Supplies List
-Musical instrument(s)
-Any other technology you use for writing music (i.e. laptop / synthesizer, etc)
-Notebook
-Pen / Pencil
Lodging and Camping Supplies
Camping gear if you are staying on campus:
- tent and sleeping pad (unless you are staying in our tent with a cot provided)
- warm sleeping bag
- pillow, toiletries, and towel
- flashlight and lantern
- alarm clock
Field gear for everyone:
- day pack
- sunscreen
- insect repellant
- water bottles
- plastic containers for packed lunches
- sense of humor
You might also want to bring:
- camera
- binoculars
- hand lens
- camp chair - Strongly recommend this for songwriting circles!
Clothing:
The weather in the Sierra Nevada can vary greatly, even in a single day. Be prepared for chilly temperatures at night, even below freezing early in the summer. Rain is a possibility any time, whether forecast or not. Variable weather clothing that can be layered is best: long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, warm sweater and jacket, t-shirt and shorts or skirt, sturdy shoes or hiking boots, sun hat, rain gear, and a warm hat or gloves for cold weather and/or night activities. And, if you come later in the season, bring your swimsuit for afternoon dips in the lakes!