Songwriting Workshop

A week-long Kemtuik songwriting workshop culminated in the recording of 10 new songs.

We learnt about finding the theme of a text on which to base a song.

Ethnomusicologist friend Erin ran sessions on various aspects of music and worship.

We spent some time practising reading Kemtuik too.
Practical time..

The elders we invited as language and culture consultants got to work too and wrote some songs in traditional styles.

Then on Friday an American colleague who helps run a local radio station brought his equipment to record them all.

Sago palm frond-stem wall panels and a thatched roof make for a nice quiet studio (though Philip had to keep the chickens away)..

..and we discovered that coconut husks are good for keeping the vibration out of mic stands.

Meanwhile friend Welly kept Erin's baby well-fed and entertained.