Songwriting

Take your favourite poem or riff and turn it into your very own song! Students work, share and create in a supportive environment for the entire week. Learn about playing by ear and the creative process, and then put it into practice. You have the opportunity to create and perform your original songs. We also work on recording techniques and many students complete a demo during the week. A fun, popular class.

If you have an instrument(s) bring it along (including any amps). Also, a couple of your favourite CDs to share with the class.

Prerequisite: A passion for writing/performing music and reasonable ability on a chord instrument (guitar/keyboard).

Thomas Oliver fronts Wellington band, The Thomas Oliver Band and has many awards and performance highlights to his name. His band tours the country every year, performing Thomas' original works. It has supported Eric Clapton, Jimmy Barnes, The Black Seeds, Phoenix Foundation, Little Bushman, Pluto and many more. The band's debut full-length album is due for release in January, 2010.

Wyn Drabble is an experienced and award-winning singer-songwriter-guitarist. He mixes his musical life with teaching English, being a food writer, writing satirical columns for two New Zealand newspapers, plus speaking on the celebrity debate circuit. For the last twenty years or so, he has been a regular on the Hawke’s Bay music scene and plays gigs at local cafes and wineries – mostly solo but often in duo with Thomas. Wyn has won awards for his original songs both locally and in the Pacific Songwriting Competition.