Collaborative Songcamp
with Hit Songwriter Luan Parle
‘A song is like a dream, and you try to make it come true. They’re like strange countries that you have to enter.’
– Bob Dylan
‘It’s very helpful to start with something that’s true. If you start with something that’s false, you’re always covering your tracks. Something simple and true, that has a lot of possibilities, is a nice way to begin.’
– Paul Simon
Luan Parle talks about the course:
Course Description
Facilitated by hit songwriter Luan Parle and designed for participants who have previously taken a songwriting course or workshop with the New School (for example, our Songwriting Workshop or The Art & Craft of Songwriting) or elsewhere, or who have already written the music and/or lyrics to one or more songs, our Collaborative Songcamp is an exciting new concept in songwriting tuition.
This online course can be taken by participants living anywhere in Ireland or around the world.
Over the course of 10 weeks and 20 hours of intensive songwriting tuition and collaboration, participants will:
- Receive an overview and reinforcement of all the key elements of successful songwriting, including song structures, themes & concepts, chord structures, chord sequences & chord progressions, approaches to lyric writing, melody and arrangement.
- Develop new songs and collaborate with like-minded fellow songwriters.
- Get practical songwriting advice from Luan, one of the finest songwriters on the Irish music scene.
- Develop the skills, knowledge and tools required to build a successful songwriting career and songwriting portfolio.
- Expand their network of collaborators.
- Get first-hand insights into the life of a professional songwriter.
Participants whose primary interest is lyric writing, music writing – or both – are welcome. Those who play an instrument or sing can incorporate it into their work. Music reading is not necessary to participate, and knowledge of a chordal instrument (guitar, piano, etc.) is helpful but not required.
How It Works
There is a maximum of twelve participants per Songcamp (and a minimum of four). Participants will be split into different groups of two or three to collaborate on new material over the course of the Songcamp.
Group examples include:
- Lyricist and musician
- Lyricist and singer
- Lyricist, musician and singer
- Lyricist, lyricist and musician
- Musician, musician and lyricist
Course breakdown:
- Sessions 1-2: These sessions will focus on the key elements of successful songwriting, as well as copyright. (Luan will also explain how participants can copyright work created during the course.)
- Sessions 3-5: For these sessions, participants will be divided into breakout rooms, with Luan regularly dropping into each room to provide guidance and advice.
- Sessions 6-8: For these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with a new group of songwriters and assigned to breakout rooms, with Luan again providing guidance and advice.
- Session 9: Participants will share their new creations with the whole group.
- Session 10: Participants will have a chance to talk about their experience collaborating with their groups over the 10-week course and finish with a final Q & A.
Enrol in this course.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Requirements
Participants in this online course will need to have the following:
- An internet-connected laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone. (A laptop or computer with webcam and microphone is recommended, as it will have the largest picture.)
- Ideally, internet speed at least 1.5Mb per second. (You can test your speed using Measurement Lab’s Speed Test.)
- Headphones or earbuds, if possible.
- Free Zoom software or app.*
* If you haven’t learned music with Zoom before, please see our printable Zoom for Students information sheet for information on how to download and set up Zoom for music tuition.
We also ask all participants to complete a brief Questionnaire about their backgrounds and interests (see Questionnaire tab) at least two days before the course begins.
Before the course begins, the teacher will email you a Zoom meeting invitation that includes a meeting ID and password to join the first class.
Our Collaborative Songcamp is one of the New School’s group courses. We also offer private songwriting lessons for students at all levels. See Theory • Musicianship • Songwriting Tuition for more information.
Luan Parle
Acclaimed performing artist, songwriter and composer Luan Parle has had numerous hits and accolades, including a Meteor Award for Best Irish Female. Her top 10 hit single ‘Ghost’ spent three months in the Irish Charts, was the most played Irish single of that year and featured on numerous number 1 compilation albums. Luan signed her first record deal at just twelve years of age before later signing with Sony Music and Elton John’s management company Twenty-First Artists. She has since written and recorded with some of the world’s most successful songwriters and producers, including Grammy Award winning Bill Bottrell (Sheryl Crow, Michael Jackson, Prince, Travelling Wilburys, Elton John) and Billy Steinberg (Madonna, Roy Orbison, Cyndi Lauper, The Pretenders, Whitney Houston, The Bangles, Celine Dion). After spending several years performing and touring extensively in Ireland, Europe and the US, Luan released her fourth studio album, Never Say Goodbye, in February 2020, to critical acclaim. The album features ten original tracks, including two co-writes with Dire Straits guitarist Hal Lindes. Luan has extensive experience teaching songwriting to people of all ages and has facilitated numerous songwriting workshops for the New School, IMRO (the Irish Music Rights Organisation) and the Department of Education.
‘Having written and performed songs from an early age and worked with some of the world’s most successful songwriters and producers, I have picked up some very useful tips and tricks along the way that I am passionate about sharing. Creating music with fellow musicians and songwriters is one of the most exciting and satisfying things that you could ever hope to experience. I am dedicated to providing this wonderful experience for others.’
2024-2025 Second Term
Course Schedule & Fee
Not offered in our Second Term.
Please contact us (providing your name) if you would like to be notified when the schedule and fee of the next Collaborative Songcamp are confirmed.
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the course fee. Places are limited to twelve and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Many of our group courses and workshops fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
After you have enrolled, please complete a brief questionnaire about your background. (See Questionnaire tab.)
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Questionnaire
If you have enrolled in the Collaborative Songcamp, please complete this brief questionnaire at least two days before the course begins. Your responses will provide the teacher with very useful information and help her to tailor the course to achieve the best results for all participants. Thank you.
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