SONGWRITING MASTERCLASS
with Jason Blume and Michael Phillip Wojewoda
January 29-31/2016, near Saskatoon SK
- and -
THE ART OF LISTENING MASTERCLASS
with Michael Phillip Wojewoda
February 1 and 2, 2016, Saskatoon SK
Songwriting MasterClass
Our fourth songwriting masterclass (previously announced) is three days of intensive, hands-on workshops and interaction with two incredible teachers at the beautiful Cedar Lodge Hotel and Convention Centre, Dundurn SK. This weekend is of interest to intermediate to advanced songwriters who are already pitching or recording songs but want to have better results, who want to get better at their craft, and who want to network with others who are passionate about songwriting.
We’ll be covering a comprehensive range of material including practical exercises, revenue streams, pitching and legal issues. Participants will be together for informative sessions, co-writing, meals and performances. Our mission is to produce songwriters who write better songs, and who have the confidence and knowledge to get those songs into the marketplace.
We are delighted to be bringing back Jason Blume, hit songwriter and teacher extraordinaire (based in Nashville TN and Kauai Hawaii) to guide us for the weekend. Blume literally wrote the book on songwriting (3 best-selling ones, in fact). Today we are pleased to announce that joining Jason will be Toronto-based Michael Phillip Wojewoda, multiple JUNO Award and Polaris Prize winning record producer and engineer. Together, the two leaders will bring their unique experience, strengths and teaching styles to inform and inspire.
Jason Blume’s songs are on Grammy-nominated albums and have sold more than 50,000,000 copies. One of only a few writers to ever have songs on the pop, country, and R&B charts all at the same time, his songs have been recorded by diverse artists including Britney Spears, the Gipsy Kings, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, Japanese superstar Tomohisa Yamashita, the Oak Ridge Boys, and used in films and Emmy-Award winning TV shows, including Scrubs, Dangerous Minds, Fame, The Guiding Light and many more. His latest cut by group Hey Violet (August 2015) debuted on the iTunes top-10 in 22 countries, #1 in 5 countries; and #2 overall worldwide. One of the world’s most respected songwriting teachers and speakers, Blume’s lessons are used by Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) chapters throughout the U.S. and internationally, and his three best-selling books on songwriting are required texts at universities and music programs throughout the world.
Music Producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda has been behind the boards for projects by internationally renowned metal legends, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a multimillion-selling pop band, folkie jazz singers, hip-hop artists, neo-electro club music, roots rock bands, and planetarium pop with guest spots from Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. Recent albums include the 2015 Polaris Prize-winning Power in the Blood by Buffy Sainte-Marie, international opera star Measha Brueggergosman’s Christmas, and the 2015 JUNO-nominated They Promised You Mercy by Amelia Curran. Wojewoda has produced/engineered/mixed over 132 albums including those by The Barenaked Ladies (including the theme song to The Big Bang Theory), ANVIL, Doughboys, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Jeff Healey, Luke Doucet, Mellissa McClellend, Sloan, Great Big Sea, Spirit of the West, Jane Siberry and k.d. lang. He’s also an accomplished musician and composer, scoring for several television and media design projects, and was a member of the Rheostatics from 2000-2007.
The Art of Listening MasterClass
The second event, which we are thrilled to announce today, is an opportunity for working music engineers and producers, and aspiring producers, who want to broaden their palate of skills and develop better instincts mixing music. Top Music Producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda has developed The Art of Listening Masterclass, and will be presenting the class in Saskatoon on February 1 and 2, 2016. The class is not specific to any particular type of workstation - so whether you’re using ProTools, an analog setup or others, you can apply this knowledge!
Concepts addressed include:
- Overview of all tools and techniques available to a mixer; both to individual sounds in the mix as well as overall pre-mastering techniques.
- Understanding the audio frequency spectrum and how frequencies interact in a mix to create problems…or pleasure.
- Listening to your mix to decide which tool or technique is best to address each problem.
- Using different techniques to handle frequency masking and/or frequency buildups in a mix.
- How to create independent “dynamic layers” in your mix to evoke different emotional responses in your listeners.
- Insert effects and send/return effects: Understanding those choices and how each evokes a different listener response.
The day-long class will be presented twice - on February 1 and 2 - with a maximum of 6 participants accepted on each day, for a very interactive and personal learning experience.
Limited spots are available in both masterclasses.
Registrations close January 22, 2016 and applicants are juried to determine acceptance.
More information and applications are available at: www.saskmusic.org/workshops
SaskMusic is pleased to present these educational opportunities with the generous support of Creative Saskatchewan’s Business Capacity Grant Program.
For more information on these events please contact Lorena Kelly, SaskMusic; 306-347-0676 (toll-free in Sask: 1-800-347-0676), or lorenakelly@saskmusic.org.
