Perhaps you’ve written some verses for an original song, but you’re stuck for a hook. Or perhaps you have some rough ideas for an original but simply don’t know how to shape those ideas into finished form. If this sounds like you, Canadian singer/songwriter James Gordon is hosting an eight-week songwriting workshop at Royal City Studios starting Sunday, January 26th, 2020.
Only 16 spots are available for this rare opportunity, which runs each Sunday (2-4:30 p.m.) from Jan. 26th until March 15th. Just $200 for the entire eight-week workshop (or, just $25 per session).
Price includes a free copy of the James Gordon Songbook (a $30 value), free snacks, an opportunity to record, and no barriers. Royal City Studios is an open, inclusive and accessible environment, with fully accessible, gender-neutral washroom facilities.
You can also drop in to the James Gordon songwriting workshop for $30 per session (for a total cost of $240 for the eight-week workshop). When you book ahead to secure your spot, you save $40.
>> Click here to secure your spot and save $40
No experience necessary. Open to all ages, skill levels and genres.
As described on the James Gordon tour page:
“Want to write a love song? Let’s examine your heart. A political song? You’ve definitely come to the right place… Anything you’d like to work on, we can handle.”
Over eight weeks, you’ll work with James to bring your songs to life in a safe, nurturing and collaborative space, where your fellow songwriters will offer positive feedback.
Each week, James will lead the group in songwriting exercises and hand out assignments, but no worries. There’s no pressure and no marks. The group will also create a couple of songs from scratch, and everyone will get the chance to share works in progress if they wish.
At the end, you’ll walk away as a better songwriter, with some keeper songs and new tricks to guide you in future songwriting.
>> Click here to secure your spot
As a founding member of the Canadian folk band Tamarack, James has written more than 1,500 songs in all genres, and recorded 40 albums (14 with Tamarack).
Some of James’ songs have become Canadian classics, like “Frobisher Bay,” which has been covered by over 100 artists worldwide and was used as an audition song on Canadian Idol.
Other songs in James’ catalogue include “Mining for Gold” (famously recorded by the Cowboy Junkies on their breakout album The Trinity Session).
James also created the full-length folk opera Hardscrabble Road, and his popular Rhyme Capsules songwriting-in-the-schools project has resulted in over two dozen recorded collections of songs by young composers. Additionally, James has hosted many songwriting weekends with award-winning artist Katherine Wheatley. He was songwriter-in-residence with two shows on CBC Radio for 12 years, and has given workshops in Japan, Vietnam and Great Britain.
In short, James knows his way around a song, and he’s keen on sharing what he’s learned with you.
Don’t miss this rare songwriting workshop.
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