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MWSFF Afternoon Workshops
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2020 Mid-Winter Singing and Folk Festival Workshops
Saturday, February 1, 2020, Hannah Community Center, East Lansing, MI
$10 wristbands, good for any and all workshops, available on site, starting at 10:30 am.
Students are FREE to all workshops
11 – 11:45 am
FREE Children’s Concert with Chicago’s Mark Dvorak
Mark is a veteran of the festival, often sharing his talents on the main stage, always in workshops, and frequently for the annual Children’s show. He is one of the best Children’s performers in the business. Concert sponsored by the City of East Lansing. (Banquet Room)
12:20 – 1:20 pm
“Nostalgic Hellos and Goodbyes”
Wanda Degen and Kay Rinker O’Neil will lead a wide variety of songs which capture the sentiment of arriving or departing. Lyric sheets provided. (Banquet Room)
“Fantastic Four Chord Magic: Play (Almost) Every Song In The World”
Ben Hassenger will show participants the secrets of four-chord songs, complete with projected music, chords and lyrics. Ukuleles and other instruments are welcome! (Room 235)
1:40 – 2:40 pm
“Spontaneous Folk Ensemble”
Each year, Mark Dvorak weaves his musical ensemble magic with folks in the room. All play and sing, at each person’s level, to create a harmonious sound that wraps each in the communal spirit of the hour. Instruments welcome! (Banquet Room)
“American Standards”
Sarah Elizabeth Wallace is an opera singer by training yet also loves to sing the Great American Songbook. With accompanist Dan Chouinard, Sarah will lead singers through American Standards, including “Tonight,” “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Once Upon a Dream,” and “Summertime.” Lyric sheets provided. (On Stage, Auditorium)
“Songwriting Part One: Mostly Lyrics”
Accomplished songwriter and community member, Joel Mabus will present two, one-hour workshops surrounding the art of writing songs. Part one will involve ‘mostly lyrics.’ (Room 235)
3 – 4 pm
“Songwriting Part Two: Mostly Music”
Joel Mabus continues his exploration into songwriting, this time, surrounding ‘mostly music.’ (It is not necessary to attend Part One to participate in Part Two.) (Room 235)
“Songs of Ireland”
Irish American and Michigan native Kitty Donohoe has collected her favorite Irish songs and will share them with her Mid-Michigan friends and fans. Lyric sheets provided. (Banquet Room)
“Festival Choir” (3 – 4:30 pm)
Director Rachel Alexander, with accompanist Dan Chouinard, will lovingly guide all-comers through an SATB arrangement of, “Lord, Give Me Just A Little More Time.” (Albert E. Brumley, arranged by Derrick Fox) Participants learn this piece and sing it during the Saturday evening Community Sing. (On Stage, Auditorium)