ConnecticutConnecticut Newsletter of the Connecticut Songsmith Songwriters Association Songsmith Dec 2011 Vol. XXXII Number 12 Combining Arts, CSA is an educational, non-profit organization dedicated to Issue #377 Education, and improving the art and craft of original musical and lyrical composition. Community Outreach Serving music's artisans and craftsmen since 1979. 1979 - 2011 : 32 Years of Combining Arts, Education, and Community Outreach A Special Appearance by Indie Artist and Past CSA President, Kayte Devlin Success comes from Opportunity, and JUMPSTART YOUR CAREER AND Opportunity Comes From Involvement GAIN A NEW LEVEL OF CONTROL The CSA meeting for November will be OVER YOUR CREATIVE OUTPUT! held Tuesday December 6, 7:15pm at the Glastonbury YMCA (Welles St). Directions on pg 2 and at www.ctsongs.com. NOTE THE ADJUSTED DATES! During the three decades that CSA has been helping artists reach their goals, many CSA CSA SONGWRITING RETREAT members have understood the importance of APRIL 13-15, 2012 -- REGISTER being involved. They developed knowledge skills, and contacts through CSA, and have NOW FOR BEST RATES AND A gone on to achieve significant levels of GUARANTEED SLOT success, earning a comfortable living through music while garnering broad national and www.ctsongs.com international recognition. RATES GO UP DECEMBER 1 Our guest for December is Indie singer- songwriter and past CSA president Kayte Devlin. Kayte is a Vermont Country Girl with CSA EVENT CALENDAR a Pop/Folk Twist to her songs. Writings (for complete listing see www.ctsongs.com) songs since she was five years old . A two- time Past President of the Connecticut Dec 6 - Glastonbury meeting with Kayte Devlin Songwriters Association, she claims much of Dec 03 2011 The Annual LUNCH Holiday Show her success these days as a songwriter to her Janmuary 2012 - "How to Do Successful Benefit Events" active years with CSA. During her time as Winter 2012 - The Secrets of successful Song Structure President, she brought many big-name folks - Colloaboration Workshop to CSA, and forged many connections with Apr 13-15 2012 - CSA Songwriting Retreat Apr 28 2012 - Voices For Hope Finals the music industry. May 2012 - Podunk Songwriting Contest Submission deadline July 20-22 - Summer Sonmgwriting Workshop Kayte has lots of relevant experience and Fall 2012 - IMC Conference knowledge that can help you move forward Dec 8 - LUNCH Holiday Show along your chosen path. Success comes from opportunity. This meeting is free for CSA members, $5 Opportunity comes from Guiding Songs Along the Path from Creation to Realization Proliferation for non-members. See you there, and bring a friend! involvement. Get involved! COMBINING ARTS, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR 32 YEARS page 2 CSA RHYTHM AND NEWS How to Get There! Directions to Glastonbury YMCA (Welles St.) : From I-91 going north or south: Take Exit 25 over the CT River onto Route 3 to Glastonbury. Bear right onto Route 2 towards Norwich. Take Exit 8 (Hebron Av.) off Route 2 and go right at the late onto Hebron Av. Go right at the next light which is New London Turnpike. Take first left (Welles St.) and a quick right into the Fox Run Mall. Go straight, park anywhere and look for CSA signs near People's Bank. From I-84 east or west: Take Exit 55 onto Route 2 towards Glastonbury to Exit 8. See above. From Norwich / New London area: Take Route 2 to Exit 8 in Glastonbury and go right and a quick left onto Hebron Av. Go 2 lights to New London Tpke. See above ! PLEASE NOTE: If you have any used printer ink cartridges, please bring them with you to the meeting. CSA is part of a recycling program where we can receive a donation. PLEASE NOTE: If you have any used printer ink cartridges, please bring them with you to the meeting. CSA can recycle them and receive a donation. TAX SEASON! GET A TAX DEDUCTION FOR YOUR OLD STUFF ! If you have any old music or office equipment lying around or just old "stuff" that you don't need, consider donating it to CSA and you'll get a generous tax deduction ! CSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all items donated to us can be deducted at their maximum fair market value. We have helped many folks get nice deductions for their old items, which certainly can be useful to us either in our regular CSA programs or our community outreach programs through LUNCH. We can use any office equipment and supplies, old computers, any type of music and studio equipment, and any type of item that could be used for auction or raffle. We'll provide a tax receipt that will give you the best possible tax-deduction. If you have anything that you might like to donate, contact Bill Pere at [email protected] Connecticut Musicians Win Best Song/Single of the Year Award "Out of Many We are One", composed and produced by Litchfield residents Thomasina Levy and Joan Spear, and which appeared on the last CSA Compilation CD, has been awarded the NAMMY Award (Native American Music Award) for Best Song/Single of the Year. The awards were announced at the annual NAMMY Awards ceremony, held recently in Niagara Falls, NY. Levy and Spear wrote Out of Many We Are One with the hope of inspiring all Americans to find common ground. It was in that spirit that they were able to attract a group of notable musicians and producers to donate their talents to the project and help record and distribute the song worldwide. In addition to Levy and Spear, the team included Nammy and Grammy award winner Joseph FireCrow, Grammy winning cellist David Darling, engineer Tommy Skarupa, bass player Dave Anderson, and vocalists Bill Lauf, Rachel Rubin, Galen Brandt and Robert Brereton. The production and distribution of the song’s companion video and CD cover were donated by the teams at Movingpix.com, a Middletown based broadcast production company, DiBacco & Company Design studio in Avon, and In-House Marketing LLC, a Litchfield based marketing agency. The music and video for Out of Many We Are One are found at www.outofmanysong.com The Native American Music Awards, or NAMMYS, was founded and incorporated in 1998. It is a stirring event presenting music in genres ranging from blues to rock to pop to classical to traditional Native American songs and dances. USA Today says it is an event to “take seriously” and Indian Country Today has called it “awesome & incredible.” For more information about NAMA go to: www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com CSACSA SONGWRITINGSONGWRITING RETREATRETREAT RATES GO UP ON DECEMBER 1 What others have said: FAST-TRACKFAST-TRACKYOURYOUR "Life-Changing! "A Transformative Experience!" CAREER!CAREER! "You've given me a whole new way to approach songwriting" REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN- LIMITED TO JUST 12 SLOTS Slots are going - Reserve your spot now! Take control of your creative process! Take your songwriting to a new level! Get several years worth of CSA knowledge in one weekend! You'll see songwriting in a whole new way and experience a level of creative control you never thought possible. A time away from the distractions of everyday life, where all you have to think about is your music. A beautiful setting in the woods, with meals and lodging provided, and a group size limited to 12. You'll get personalized attention guaranteed to give you new ways to improve the effectiveness of your writing, and bring it to a new level. April 13-15, 2012, at Camp Wightman, NOTE THE April 13-15, 2011, at Camp Wightman, ADJUSTED North Stonington, CT DATES! The program of Master Classes, performance and critique, will be based on the concepts of Bill Pere's internationally acclaimed songwriting book, "Songcrafters' Coloring Book", and led by Bill and Kay. This content, presented nationally at major conference events, is not available anywhere else at this affordable cost. All the details about the program, the facilities, schedule and registration are online at: http://www.ctsongs.com/Retreat/SongwritingRetreat.htm See what others have said -- There are photos and reviews of the last retreat at the CSA website/ The program is limited to 12 participants. The earlier you register, the lower the cost, and it guarantees your spot. The cost includes meals, lodging, and all workshops. (Note: If you have to arrive late or leave early, we cannot make cost adjustments). Register by: Member rate is for active members of CSA, RISA, Songsalive, IndieGrrl (Before Dec 1) Member Rate = $170 Non-member = $185 (Dec 1 – Feb 29) Member Rate = $188 Non-member = $198 (After March 1) Member Rate = $198 Non Member = $208 Three ways to Register, for your maximum convenience and security: 1. PAYPAL SECURE REGISTRATION ONLINE (www.ctsongs.com) 2: VISA/MASTERCARD SECURE REGISTRATION ONLINE 3: BY MAIL: Send check or Money Order payable to CSA, PO Box 511, Mystic CT 06355 (I nclude your e-mail address, phone number, street address, and member ID # (if a member of CSA, RISA, IndieGrrl, IMC, or Songsalive). QUESTIONS ? Check the Website for FAQ Info. If you don't find what you need, e-mail us at [email protected] SONGCRAFTERS' COLORING BOOK What Did We Know and When Did We Know It? by Bill Pere " What did he know and when did he know it? " This key question from the Watergate era brought down a President. It can also bring down – or elevate – a song. Remember that the presentation of a song by a writer to a listener is a social interaction – a conversation of sorts. Like any communication, if the songwriter cares about his/her message, the goal of the interaction is to forge a connection between singer and listener, so that both are on the same wavelength with common understanding.