By JESSE GRAHAM
BUDDING songwriters will be given the chance to hone their skills one-on-one with musician Neil Murray at the end of April, as part of an event at Strathvea Guest House.
From Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May, Mr Murray will be hosting a songwriting retreat at the Healesville guesthouse, working with a small group of guests to improve their musical skills.
He told the Mail that visitors will get a taste of his own musical experiences and techniques, a guide to the principles of song-writing, as well as a chance to workshop their pieces with him, one-on-one.
“I’ll be able to do lots of one-on-one work with people, which is the best avenue for this kind of thing,” Mr Murray said.
“I’m looking forward to it – I haven’t really done a songwriting workshop like this before, over a couple of days.”
The weekend will begin with a Friday night meet-and-greet, with some songs performed by Mr Murray, followed by a talk and tasks to be set over the weekend.
The next day, visitors will work on their pieces and talk to Mr Murray, with a presentation set for Sunday before everyone heads home.
He said that he hoped the attendees, regardless of their skills as a song-writer or artist, will leave with an insight “into how songs are structured, how they work, and an insight into the craft and the discipline that’s required”.
“They might have, perhaps, unearthed a creative urge in themselves that they hadn’t otherwise known was there, or they … perhaps opened themselves up to think differently and expressed themselves in a way they haven’t before.”
The songwriting workshop costs $655 with accommodation and meals, or $475 without accommodation and meals.
Places are limited to 10 people. For more information, call 5962 4109.
