VOCAL Monthly Meeting

Meetings 2008

July 14, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

In-house Open Mic

This month we will be carrying over the quarterly open mic night. Last month we were treated to new material from some great songwriters, but were unable to play any CD's. So for this month we will carryover both the live and pre-recorded performances.

Bring an instrument or CD and share new material or just present something for feedback.

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VOCAL meetings will bring music to your ears and food for your creative soul. Come to the next one. You’ll see (and hear) what we mean.

  • Fellowship and encouragement of other writers
  • The chance to get your own craftsmanship to the “next level”
  • The chance to discover how some of ‘the greats” do it

As a rule, these occur monthly, although the schedule can vary occasionally. The format is fluid, but includes on a regular basis:

  • new song performance and feedback sessions
  • dissections and deconstruction of great songs and songwriter techniques
  • creative block-breaking mental exercises
  • and other songwriting skills such as melody, modulation, harmony, storytelling, rhyming and rhythm.

Occasionally, there will be organizational business to attend to:

  • planning participation in events around the state,
  • special VOCAL banquets or parties, election of officers,
  • and handling of financial chores

Next Meeting

When

July 14, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

Where

The Roundhouse at Byrd Park

Byrd Park Roundhouse

Directions

From the Boulevard (travelling south) Head South on Boulevard. Turn left in front of the Christopher Columbus statue (just beyond tennis courts) and follow that road to the end of the lake. The round house will be on your right (parking available on streets in front of house).

From the east (travelling on Downtown Expressway):
Take the Boulevard exit, and turn left at the first light (Robinson St). Robinson dead-ends in front of the Roundhouse.

From Chippenham (driving north) heading toward Downtown Expressway:
On Chippenham, once you cross the bridge, bear right like you're going to the Downtown Expressway. Take the next exit, Maplewood Avenue (last exit before toll road). After exiting, drive straight until you dead-end at baseball field. Turn right onto Sheppard St., then next left by tennis courts onto Grant St.. Continue straight at Christopher Columbus statue (which will be on your right) into park to end of lake. House is at right.

We might swap stories of our latest gigs, share pictures from performances, or discuss improvements in member communications or the Web site.

Frankly, there’s only one place in the state where you can rely on hanging with the area’s most creative composers and lyricists every time you go: VOCAL meetings. These gatherings of VOCAL members offer a combination of

  • education,
  • discussion,
  • evaluation
  • and fellowship

VOCAL meetings can increase your passion for the work as it deepens your understanding of the craft.

- Russell Lawson