Smith Mountain Arts Council - Affiliate
Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association (SVSA)
What is SVSA?
The Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association (SVSA) is a group of amateur and professional songwriters with the common goal of improving songwriting and performance skills.
Visit the SVSA Website at svsasongs.com
| Upcoming SVSA Events | Past SVSA Events |
2011 Meeting Workshops
At each of our regular monthly meetings we will try to schedule a mini-workshop. Here's what's on the schedule:
- Feb 2 (postponed from Jan 26)
Slide Guitar -
Mike Franke will show us how to add slide guitar to our bag of tricks.
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Feb 23
Song Arrangement Awareness -
Josh Jones will help us appreciate how much arrangement can affect an audience's reception of a song. What are the fundamental elements in an arrangement beyond the song itself? How an audience's perception of a song can be improved (or made worse) by the arrangement.
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Mar 23
Songwriting Process -
As a new songwriter, Mike Dittrich has a lot of questions and will lead the discussion.
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Apr 27
Making a Music Video -
Randy Walker will explain the basics and more.
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May 25
Co-Writing -
Barbara Martin will lead the workshop.
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Jun 22
Performing Live -
Songwriter, producer, and performer,Greg Trafidlo will lead the workshop.
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Jul 27
Writing Funny Songs -
This workshop will be led by Mike DeGiorgi, who wrote the classic, "Dancin' at the Dudley".
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Aug 24
Audio Production -
Based on his 20 years of recording experience, Steve Langston will explain the basics and some of the artful things that make for a good recording.
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Sep 28 - Woodshedding Tips - How to Practice
Led by Marc Baskind
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Oct 26
Creating and Uploading a YouTube Video -
This will be led by SVSA member, Aspen Black.
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Nov 16 (Meeting moved up 1 week due to Thanksgiving) - Tips on Improving a Melody
Led by Greg Trafidlo
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Dec - Holiday Dinner/Song Circle
Meeting Schedule
SVSA meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month, 7:00 pm, at the Third Street Coffeehouse in Roanoke (corner of Mountain Avenue and Third Street).
Our Meetings
In 2011 we are including mini-workshops at our monthly meetings. (See the schedule above.) Our meeting generally include critique sessions, information about what's going on in the music industry, member's news, and other topics of general interest.
Other Activities
We also bring in industry people and pro writers to do workshops on song crafting and performance. An SVSA Songwriters’ night is held once a year at the Third Street Coffeehouse.
Contact
- President, Larry Sakayama (540) 721-3838
- Vice President, Britt Mistele (540) 745-6771
Visit the SVSA Website at svsasongs.com
Upcoming SVSA Events
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Stay tuned in 2012 for...
Songwriters Showcase at the Bower Center, Bedford
Past SVSA Events
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Songwriters Showcase
When: Sep 9, 2011 - 7:30pm
Where: 3rd Street Coffee House, Roanoke, Va
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Songwriters in the Round
When: July 23, 2011d 7:30 pm
Where: The Friends of the Bedford Public Library, Inc.
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Waymores Concert and Workshop
When: Sunday, May 1, 2011
Where: 12 East Campbell Ave, RoanokeOn Sunday, May 1st, 2011, the Southwest Virginia Songwriters Association is bringing back the Waymores to Roanoke for an “In-The-Round” concert and songwriting workshop.
The concert (at 7:30 p.m.) and workshop (at 2 p.m.) will be held at 12 East Campbell Avenue (upstairs) in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. Suggested donation $15 for the workshop; $20 for the concert ($15 for SVSA members).
The Waymores, an alt-Nashville trio, was formed by acclaimed performing songwriters Tom Kimmel, Don Henry, and Sally Barris. All highly respected Nashville artists in their own right, and toured widely as solo acts. Each member has recorded numerous albums, and now they’ve banded together as the Waymores.
Between the three of them, their songs have been recorded by musical greats such as Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Tricia Yearwood, Lonestar, Waylon Jennings, Kathy Mattea and more.
The workshop will consist of a short presentation by the Waymores, followed by critiques of attendees songs. Bring one song on a CD,cassette, or MP3, plus three copies of the lyrics.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend either the workshop or the concert or both. Greg Trafidlo (kirasongs@aol.com) 540 384-7770; Mickey Nelson (mickey@bowlesnelsonpowers.com) 540 981-0606
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"In Concert: SVSA Songwriters Showcase"
Sponsored by: SMAC Affiliate - Southwest Virgina Songwriters Association
When: Mon Mar 15, 2009 - 7:00 pm
Where: Kirk Ave Music Hall, Roanoke, VA
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"In Concert: SVSA Songwriters Showcase"
Sponsored by: SMAC Affiliate - Southwest Virgina Songwriters Association
When: Mon Feb 15, 2009 - 7:00 pm
Where: Kirk Ave Music Hall, Roanoke, VA
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"The Waymores - Workshop and Concert
Sponsored by: SMAC Affiliate - Southwest Virgina Songwriters Association
When: Sun. September 20, 2009 ● Workshop: 2 - 5pm, Concert: 7:30pm
Where: 12 Campbell Avenue, Roanoke, VA
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"Songwriting as Journalism"
Workshop and Concert with Joe Jencks
Sponsored by: SMAC Affiliate - Southwest Virgina Songwriters Association
When: Sat. July 25, 2009
About Smith Mountain Arts Council Affiliates
Smith Mountain Arts Council Affiliates are independent organizations that share the mission of supporting one or more of the performing, visual, or literary arts. The Smith Mountain Arts Council and its Affiliates seek opportunities to engage in mutually beneficial activities which further each organization’s mission and vision.