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This is an intensive songwriting workshop covering many genres and lyrical styles of popular music.
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The goal of this workshop is to offer a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for aspiring songwriters to work with professionals in the industry.
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Students will participate in individual meetings and activities with successful songwriters across a wide spectrum of genres. Original songs will be written in diverse musical styles including country, R&B, rock, pop, rap/hip hop, Broadway/Tin Pan Alley, and others.
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Each songwriter will finish at least four new songs, one with each of the guest artists.
- This workshop will culminate in a public performance given by the students of their original material.
Undergraduate: MUSIC 423, 3 units
Graduate: MUSIC 623, 3 units
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CSU students, faculty, and non-CSU students interested in honing their songwriting skills and receiving one-on-one critique and guidance. This is an opportunity to collaborate and work with like-minded individuals in a creative and challenging environment.
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Provide a one-page statement describing your songwriting experience to date. Include a CD of at least three writing examples in different writing styles (if you have them), and provide the lyrics. Be sure to detail whether you composed the music, the lyrics, or both.
- Send the materials listed in Step 1 with your completed Registration Form to the Summer Arts Registration Office by Friday, May 1, 2009. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY TO THIS COURSE HAS PASSED.
Professor Ross Levinson
rlevins@calstatela.edu
323-343-5448
The Refugees
Accomplished solo artists Cindy Bullens, Deborah Holland, and Wendy Waldman formed their “supergroup” in 2007, and since that time have been wowing audiences with their celebrated songs, soaring harmonies, indelible musicianship, and unforgettably humorous stage presence. Their first CD, Unbound (Wabuho Records) is scheduled for release in January 2009. Each of The Refugees has logged more than three decades in the industry, with nineteen solo albums and multiple Grammy Award nominations to their credit, featuring musical styles that blend country, rock, folk, and Americana.
Check out their website at: www.therefugeesmusic.com
Accomplished solo artists Cindy Bullens, Deborah Holland, and Wendy Waldman formed their “supergroup” in 2007, and since that time have been wowing audiences with their celebrated songs, soaring harmonies, indelible musicianship, and unforgettably humorous stage presence. Their first CD, Unbound (Wabuho Records) is scheduled for release in January 2009. Each of The Refugees has logged more than three decades in the industry, with nineteen solo albums and multiple Grammy Award nominations to their credit, featuring musical styles that blend country, rock, folk, and Americana.
Check out their website at: www.therefugeesmusic.com
Jimmy Varner
Jimmy Varner has written and produced for many artists including Diana Ross, The Pointer Sisters, Will Downing, Mica Paris, Faith Evans, Shanice, The Temptations, Waymon Tisdale, Kool & The Gang, Tevin Campbell, Layzie Bone, Konishiki, Gerald Alston, Howard Hewitt, and more. He is accomplished in the art of artist development, and is currently producing several Disney and Nickelodeon stars including Keke Palmer, Chelsea Tavares, and Kylie Russell.
Jimmy Varner has written and produced for many artists including Diana Ross, The Pointer Sisters, Will Downing, Mica Paris, Faith Evans, Shanice, The Temptations, Waymon Tisdale, Kool & The Gang, Tevin Campbell, Layzie Bone, Konishiki, Gerald Alston, Howard Hewitt, and more. He is accomplished in the art of artist development, and is currently producing several Disney and Nickelodeon stars including Keke Palmer, Chelsea Tavares, and Kylie Russell.
Craig Carnelia
Craig Carnelia is one of today's most popular Broadway and cabaret singer/songwriters. His works have won numerous songwriting awards and have been performed by an amazing assortment of singers, including Barry Manilow, Karen Akers, Andrea Marcovicci, and more. His musicals include the score for the Broadway musical Is There Life After High School as well as Studs Terkel's Working, for which he received a Tony nomination.
Craig Carnelia is one of today's most popular Broadway and cabaret singer/songwriters. His works have won numerous songwriting awards and have been performed by an amazing assortment of singers, including Barry Manilow, Karen Akers, Andrea Marcovicci, and more. His musicals include the score for the Broadway musical Is There Life After High School as well as Studs Terkel's Working, for which he received a Tony nomination.
Michelle Lewis
Michelle Lewis’ career as a songwriter began about ten years ago, when, as an artist signed to Giant Records, the more commercial songs she wrote for her albums began to get covered by other artists (like Kelly Osbourne and Amy Grant). She soon decided that there was more dignity in writing songs for other people than there was in schlepping around the country in a van. She moved to Los Angeles from her native New York City to write songs for other people full time. From her experience as a singer and artist herself, she brings a highly credible and artistic touch to her writing with and for others – from Lindsey Lohan to Michelle Branch. Her song writing style is extremely diverse – almost comically so – as she is presently writing top lines for pop/RB producer JR (Rihanna, Jean Paul), having her songs covered by pop-opera singer Josh Groban and working on a children's record with singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb.
Check out her website at: www.michellelewis.com
Michelle Lewis’ career as a songwriter began about ten years ago, when, as an artist signed to Giant Records, the more commercial songs she wrote for her albums began to get covered by other artists (like Kelly Osbourne and Amy Grant). She soon decided that there was more dignity in writing songs for other people than there was in schlepping around the country in a van. She moved to Los Angeles from her native New York City to write songs for other people full time. From her experience as a singer and artist herself, she brings a highly credible and artistic touch to her writing with and for others – from Lindsey Lohan to Michelle Branch. Her song writing style is extremely diverse – almost comically so – as she is presently writing top lines for pop/RB producer JR (Rihanna, Jean Paul), having her songs covered by pop-opera singer Josh Groban and working on a children's record with singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb.
Check out her website at: www.michellelewis.com
BACK TO 2009 COURSES
CHECK OUT THE OTHER MUSIC COURSES:
Flute and Guitar
The Complete Singer-Actor
New Frontiers in Digital Music and Media
The Summer Arts Symphony Orchestra
CSU Summer Arts is Hosted by College of Arts and Humanities, Fresno State.