Education
Workshops
Madison Music Foundry offers a variety of workshops designed to help students learn what it's like to play in a group setting. Each workshop has its own details, but all share the common elements of placing people into bands, practicing together with an instructor for several weeks and playing a show. All workshops are recorded whether at the live show or in a recording studio. All are available for youth and adults.
For groups that are already established and would like some extra help, but not necessarily enroll in a workshop, we offer Group Coaching (see below)
ROCK WORKSHOP
Youth and Adults
In Rock Workshop everyone is a rock star. Kids and adults get to practice for eight weeks with an instructor, learn three songs, write at least one original, record at professional recording studio Blast House Studios, and play a packed show at Madison’s top rock venue the High Noon Saloon. Since Rock Workshop began in 2008, over 150 students in 40+ bands have recorded well over 100 songs and played ten live shows.
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JAZZ WORKSHOPYouth and Adults
Jazz is meant to be played with others. This workshop will emphasize improvisation and how to communicate musically with your band mates. Repertoire can include standards, originals or arrangements of modern tunes. All instruments are welcome.
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NEW!
BLUEGRASS WORKSHOP
Youth and Adults
For the pickers and grinners. Practice traditional and modern styles, each instrument's role in the group and harmony singing.
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Band Coaching
Youth and Adults
For groups that are already formed but would like some help perfecting their sound or preparing for the recording studio. Our instructors are available on a per need basis and can help you to tighten up your sound, strengthen your stage performance and help everyone in the band to better understand their roles. Contact us for details.
OTHER WORKSHOPS
Ongoing
We are always exploring workshops of other genres and would like to gauge what the interest is. Here's a brief description of some other ideas we've had.
CHAMBER GROUP WORKSHOP
This workshop could take shape in a couple of ways. 1) Musicians interested in classical repertoire could get a chance to choose the piece(s) they play. The coach would assist in making the musical selection and help with the arrangement and performance. 2) It could also work as a way for musicians to play contemporary music in a chamber group setting. For example a string quartet could play arrangements of rock artists such as Jimi Hendrix (check out the Kronos Quartet playing Purple Haze).
HIP HOP WORKSHOP
Structured a little differently from our other workshops, the Hip Hop Workshop would start with two classes: one for rappers and another for beat makers. Rappers would concentrate on writing lyrics and putting them to rhythm, and beat makers would focus on making solid beats that someone could rap to. Then about half way through we bring the two groups together and pair up people to arrange full songs.
If you have interest in or suggestions about any of the above workshops, please drop us a line to let us know. Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated!
