MASSARO COMMUNITY FARM presents

Paul Winter’s Adventures in SoundPlay

Over the past two decades, Paul Winter has conducted hundreds of unique music-making workshops at colleges and universities throughout the United States. He brings his innovate approach to Massaro Community Farm on Friday November 11 and Saturday November 12. Participants will leave the workshop equipped with the  experiences and tools they can use in creating their own music, and leading their own bands.

The workshop consists of two sessions: Friday, Nov 11 6:30-10:00pm (potluck dinner & workshop), and Saturday, Nov 12 8:30-11:30am (breakfast & workshop)

$30/pp Scholarships available (includes workshop, Friday dessert & drinks, and pancake breakfast)

Space limited to 50 registrants

The “Adventures in SoundPlay” is open to any person, regardless of their musical background. The workshop is  intended to open doors to music-making for even the shyest individual, while at the same time offering new experiences in expression for those who have studied music. Paul’s premise is that music-making is the natural birthright of every person, and that all people have the ability to express themselves through sound. Absolutely no music training or “talent” is required for this affirmative and celebratory approach, yet it can be equally nourishing for beginners, amateurs and professionals.

Bring an instrument, whether you can play it or not. If you can produce one sound on it you can take part. Anything from a kazoo to a contrabassoon is welcome: folk, world music, jazz instruments; all the orchestralinstruments – brass, strings, woodwind, percussion. Absolutely any sound-making device under the sun, including your voice.

The music-making is done collectively, usually in groups of 4. The experience is full of discovery, joy, humor and fun. There is no emphasis on soloing, or virtuosity, or performing. It is not a “master class” on how to play expertly in a particular tradition; rather it creates contexts in which our instincts for spontaneous expression can be awakened and nurtured, and participants receive clues on how to express themselves in authentic ways. The same abilities by which we converse with words through improvising are brought into play in a myriad of different combinations of instruments and voices, in an environment of deep quiet and deep listening. Participants engage in a democratic process of responsiveness, the give-and-take of leadership and co-operation.