Musical sermons and workshops can be scheduled in conjunction with a concert or church service performance.
Lewis and Clark believe that music is not the exclusive privilege of those with special talents, but an essential part of being human. Every presentation is designed to help participants build confidence and discover new abilities. Several workshops can be scheduled for a conference or a weekend retreat. For information about scheduling and pricing, contact Dana: danapiano@sbcglobal.net. Peacemaking Through Music (Workshop or Musical Sermon) This topic is for anyone seeking to further an awareness of the special role music can play in shaping the evolution of a culture of nonviolence and social justice. Musicians and non-musicians alike will gain from exploring Dana’s vision of the powerful healing force of music. Beginning with a vision statement for peace in our lifetimes, Dana presents ideas from noted peacemakers, offering a historical perspective on the choices we face today. She describes how lyrics can “reframe” important issues in order to guide listeners toward a path of peace. Concrete suggestions are made about projects involving fundraising with music, using music to support your personal journey/mission, and staging special musical events that promote a message of peace. Dana will describe her work as founder of the San Antonio Peace Choir, producer of CDs of music on the theme of peace, and creator of musical events for the San Antonio Peace Center. Participants will be guided toward clarifying their own unique talents, defining personal goals, and envisioning what role music might play in achieving them. The Healing Power of Music (Workshop or Musical Sermon) Based on personal experience, observation of her students, and the latest research about the effects of music on the brain, Dana will help you discover why she believes that music is nothing less than the first language of every human being. She has written that, “We are never more whole, more completely ourselves than when we are listening to or participating in music. Music can make us feel alive, centered and transformed. Healing messages become so much more powerful when expressed as a lyric accompanied by music.” In this workshop Dana leads participants through musical experiences that energize and focus, providing practical methods that participants can use after the class for personal growth and healing. Dana will use some of her original music to deliver a message of transformation and hope. Participants will take away from the session an individualized plan for future musical action, and a reprint of Dana’s chapter on the topic of music and healing from the book Insights on the Journey: Trauma, Healing, and Wholeness by Maureen Leach, OSF, available from the San Antonio Peace Center, www.salsa.net/peace. Peace Choir Rehearsal and Performance (Can be scheduled in conjunction with a concert performance by Lewis and Clark.) Dana is the founder of the San Antonio Peace Choir. She will rehearse with a group of singers in preparation for their participation in a Lewis and Clark concert. Songs will be drawn from the two CDs Dana produced for A Season for Nonviolence, “Increase the Peace” and “Peace Is Our Birthright,” and the Lewis and Clark CDs of original compositions “Trust Your Heart to Lead You Home” and “Disguised As Poetry.” The public can be invited for a fundraising event. Keyboard Harmony and Improvisation (Session limited to twelve participants.) Dana presents her unique approach for creating harmony and improvising a melody that is guaranteed to work! Experienced musicians will gain new insights, and even novices will be able to improvise jazzy sounding compositions by the end of the session. Handouts are provided that make the basic exercises easy to understand, and provide a foundation for further development after the session. Songwriting: Lyrics, Melody and Harmony Checklists are provided to help participants craft the lyrics of a song. Various song “frames” are presented, and practical guidelines are given for using aids such as the rhyming dictionary and thesaurus. Participants learn how to “discover” the melody in lyrics, or create lyrics to fit a melody. A method for harmonizing melodies will be discussed, along with common chord progressions and how they relate to musical style. Dana will guide the group as everyone contributes to writing a song together. Simple assignments are given to lead participants through the stages of completing a song, and individual feedback is provided. Dana will share insights about how to make songwriting a natural part of life. Singing From the Heart--Technique and Repertoire Participants will learn that the entire body is the vocal instrument. Practical guidelines will be given about how to employ the most important parts of the body to produce a natural sounding voice. Special attention will be given to breathing, pitch matching, and pronunciation. In the second half of the session, participants will sing songs chosen to open the heart, build a sense of belonging to the group, connect to Spirit, and express genuine emotion. Vocal Coaching, Individual Sessions Individuals can schedule these for one-on-one instruction in singing technique. Dana will teach methods that address the unique challenges and goals of each participant. Play music with a partner Bring your musical partner and receive Kevin’s guidance about how to improve the way you play together. Combinations can include guitar and bass, or two guitars together |