Surviving as a Working Artist - Singer/Songwriter Workshop with Walter Parks

Walter Parks will share more than his musical knowledge in this Singer/Songwriter Workshop. He will discuss a variety of topics about the many hats an artist wears and how to remain true to your art and make a living as well. This will be an intimate workshop on the historic Lyric stage and is limited to 50 attendees. The workshop will include a ticket to Walter Parks’ “Swamp by Chandelier – Spirituals Reimagined” 7:00pm performance the evening of the workshop.

Surviving As A Working Artist. A Checklist of What You Must Understand:
The Partnership of Art and Commerce. Walter will share his experiences of surviving in the arts via 25 years of extensive touring in the U.S. and Europe, with his own groups and as a sideman for Woodstock legend Richie Havens. He will discuss the importance of the arts to societies in general and contrast art’s perceived value in European and American cultures.

The Asset of Style and Honoring Roots. The ability to play with a unique style translates to job security. Walter will discuss the importance of honoring our roots as a pathway to the paramount goal of finding our own artistic style. To demonstrate how Walter found his own artistic style on guitar he will perform several of his own southern-tinged compositions which are inspired by America’s rich original forms – the blues and jazz. He will also perform some popular songs by other artists, with his own interpretation.

Accompaniment. Becoming an effective sideman or band/team player is discussed. This workshop shares ways of assessing a band leader’s rhythmic, harmonic and melodic style so that contrasting chords, chord voicings and rhythms can be used to weave into the overall sound of a band or song.
Getting The Gig. Keeping The Gig. How one carries oneself and the useful skills beyond those on one’s own instrument are factors that influence how long one stays on a gig.

Zen and Value. How to deal with the incessant interior mental battle of second-guessing one’s value and career choice is discussed. It’s essential to be where one is wanted. The pathway to artistic peace of mind is focusing on a style and seeking out an audience for one’s style.

Ticket Price: $20 for Students and $40 Adults
(Ages: 16 years of age and up)