Museum Hosts Sherbrooke Village Road to Stanfest Songwriter's Camp

Aspiring songwriters can hone their craft at the Sherbrooke Village Road to Stanfest Songwriters Camp from June 30 to July 3.

"In its eighth season, the Road to Stanfest Songwriters Camp is an excellent opportunity for up-and-coming songwriters to learn from the knowledge and experience of successful musicians," said Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Tony Ince. "It is great to see so many of the province's extremely talented artists help others develop their skills."

Many past participants and instructors have had music that was written at the camp produced. The song Dave Carroll wrote about Sherbrooke Village the last time he was at the camp is available on YouTube.

Songwriter Jim Dorie has made the most of his trips to the camp. Mr. Dorie has recently released a new CD, Drop Forge, co-written with Dave Gunning, including the song Marconi's Boxes, and was featured as Album-of-the-Week on Blues and Roots Radio.

"I have written and recorded a few songs from my participation at the Sherbrooke Village songwriters camp," said Mr. Dorie. "Don't Walk The Levee is on my second CD titled Ghosts of Pictou County and was written the year that J.P. Cormier and Susan Crowe were instructors at the camp."

The camp, gives people a chance to improve the art, technique and craft of their songwriting, while working with an impressive line-up of award-winning instructors. This year's instructors include Bruce Guthro, Chuck Brodsky, Kim Dunn and Nathan Rogers. There will also be fiddle instruction with Dale Brown.

"Camp week is a truly inspirational because I get to observe these creative people who come together to share their passion for the craft of song writing," said Lynn Hayne, camp co-ordinator. "They invest so much of themselves, their confidence and ability grows throughout the week, and they produce amazing results."

Classes are for all levels of writing ability and camp participants will take part in a special on-stage performance at Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso from July 4 to 6.

For more information or to register for the camp, contact Ms. Hayne at [email protected], visit http://sherbrookevillage.novascotia.ca or call 1-888-743-7845.