SHOF offered its very first series of songwriter workshops in January 1989. Since then, we have sponsored 266 ten-week courses (ranging from beginner through master levels) and processed over 3,300 student registrations. Several workshops are available during each quarter (except summer).
AVAILABLE WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
MASTERING THE MUSIC BUSINESS MAZE
This workshop will cover Song Critiquing (melody, structure, lyrics) from the viewpoints of a music publisher, a music supervisor (film & television) & an A&R representative; Publishing & Performing Rights Organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC); Packaging & Marketing (bios, photos, press kits), Copyrighting & Networking (important source materials will be distributed) At least one critiquing session will be done by a high-level industry executive. Classes meet on Mondays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. New workshops are sponsored in January, April & September of each year. Cost: $250.00. You must be an NAPM member to take this workshop. The next series of classes begins on January 23rd.
Instructor: MARCY DREXLER. Marcy is Senior Vice President at Smoking Caterpillar Music, a full-service music publishing company that places songs with artists, as well as on movie & television soundtracks. After being appointed the first female engineer at WCBS-FM, Marcy spent the next ten years as an A&R Manager for both Arista & MCA Records, where she signed sveral successful acts & placed many hit songs. Marcy was then recruited into the world of Music Publishing, where she worked for both Warner Chappell & Sony Music. Her success with artists & songs continued & she was awarded many gold & platinum albums. After her promotion to Professional Manager, she managed a staff of ten creative managers. During her 14-year tenure at ASCAP, Marcy again found herself nurturing careers, facilitating deals, song critiquing, networking & problem solving. Many of the programs that she initiated are still in effect today, including Music Business seminars, Song To Song, Pop & Jazz Workshops, the Louis Armstrong Foundation Workshop & the Advanced Songwriters Workshops & Showcases. Marcy has conducted lectures at Universities throughout the Northeast. She has served on the NY Board of Governors at the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (the Grammy organization), where she co-chaired various committees.
OF PASSION & PROFESSION: THE FULLY EXPRESSED SONGWRITER
Have you wondered how to write what you love and still be successful? How to keep your integrity and still get cuts? In this class, we’ll show you how to keep a professional edge while remaining true to your craft. Song critique, weekly writing assignments, pro techniques for the writer who wants to know how to break in, how to get a publishing deal, how to write for a particular artist and how to put together an artist package—all this and more will be covered. We’ll discuss how the industry interacts with both performing and non-performing songwriters. Classes meet on Tuesdays: the Master class from 6:30 to 8:30 PM; the Advanced class from 8:45 to 11:00 PM. New workshop programs begin every September, January & April. Classes meet for ten weeks. Cost: $300.00. You must be an NAPM member to take a SHOF workshop.
Instructor: LORRAINE FERRO. The true measure of Lorraine’s success is reflected in the accomplishments of her students. For the past several years, the NAPM Abe Olman Scholarship winners have come from her classes. She has helped her students grow from neophyte writers into industry professionals, garnering publishing & record deals, getting cuts with signed artists & releasing indie CDs that get noticed. Her honest & in-depth teaching style brings students to what she calls “the next level.” In her classes, goal setting is stressed as much as technique; and, teamwork & heart are as key to her students’ achievements as knowledge & song structure. As a songwriter signed to EMI, Lorraine’s #1 singles “Stand” & “Adonai” went multi-platinum & she’s won numerous songwriting awards, including a Dove Award for Inspirational Song of the Year, finalist positions in both the John Lennon & USA Songwriting Contests & NAPM’s Abe Olman Scholarship. Her songs have been featured on MTV’s Undressed, as well as other TV & film projects & her self-released CD, Languishing In Turbulence, garnered rave reviews, charting on Hits Magazine’s Buzzin’ Top 20 & Ivany’s Top 21, in the midst of Madonna, Melissa Etheridge & Patty Loveless. Among the artists she has written for are Avalon, Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker, Lisa Bevill & Tony Vincent. She’s also written for jingle houses & is now producing albums for select indie artists. Lorraine is heard regularly on national TV & radio spots & has sung live & on record with such luminaries as Dar Williams, Al B Sure!, Lesley Gore, Joe Taylor, Jennifer Rush, Wayne Brady & Blackmore’s Night (led by Ritchie Blackmore). She has been a private vocal & songwriting coach for many years.
All workshops run for ten weeks. If you’d like to apply for or audit any of our workshops, call projects director Bob Leone at 212-957-9230.