Have you ever put words to a melody you thought up in your head? Amateur songwriters who’d like to share original tunes about ecological, social, or justice issues are welcome to enter the Center of the World Festival Songwriting Contest to compete for a $500 grand prize.

On Thursday, June 27, 6 to 9 p.m., a free 3-hour workshop is offered to amateurs interested in songwriting. It will cover basic song structure, songwriting techniques and offer a first-hand look at the recording process. Participants will also learn about how radio stations select music.

The workshop is taught by Lee Cadena, a music industry veteran from New York, L.A. and San Antonio, Texas. The Mountain Communities’ Mark Moulin (Ambrosia/Toto/Electric Prunes) will assist.

The Center of the World Festival brings people together to share in a weekend of storytelling and theater each year. The three-day event (August 16-18 in 2013) closes on Sunday with the songwriting contest. Finalists perform to win a $500 grand prize voted by the audience as a people’s choice award.

The “Introduction to Songwriting” workshop will be held at the Center of the World Festival’s Workshop Loft, at 16331 Askin Drive in Pine Mountain Club, next to the Artisan’s Gallery. Donations to Center of the World Festival are not required but will be gratefully accepted.
–Submitted by Shelia Clark

This is part of the June 21, 2013 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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