2004 Workshop
Music
for Change well received at 2004 Northeast
Folk Alliance Conference.
On Sunday, November 14, 2004, more than 60 participants packed a room at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance (NERFA) Conference.
Public Domain Foundation helped produce a seminar called "Songs that Change the World: Protest Music." Led by Noel Stookey, the panel of folk music luminaries included performer/union organizer Si Kahn; singer/songwriter John Flynn, president/founder of Appleseed Records Jim Musselman; and folk music event organizer, lecturer, and radio programmer Sonny Ochs.
The audience of folk music venue owners and organizers, radio programmers, journalists, singers, songwriters, and musicians listened intently as the presenters recounted their experiences with "protest songs" in the past and present. The panelists provided tips on strong lyric and music writing, as well as creative ways to promote and market important social messages. Attendees also offered their insights on ways they found to bring music with social messages to receptive audiences.
The intention of the seminar program was to help attending songwriters and folk music professionals and enthusiasts to strengthen their existing conviction or discover anew that songs of conscience play a critical, enduring role in positive social change, and that those who aspire to write, record, perform, and promote such music are following in the footsteps of powerful, revolutionary leaders.
Workshop coordinator David Zee prepared a printed handout for the seminar showing a historical timeline of milestones in protest music. The timeline is available for viewing/download on our site; click here. David also prepared an audio sound collage of protest song excerpts that opened the program; to request a CD copy for use in your event or seminar, please contact the Public Domain Foundation.
The NERFA workshop programming panel included Gene Shay, Jody Kolodzey, and Fred Kaiser.
Public Domain Foundation is considering additional workshops in the future. Please contact us with inquiries, volunteer offers, and information.
Learn
more about NERFA here.