Description from the Advance Program for the version of this workshop I led at the 2011 Gathering of Friends in Grinnell, IA.
A small group from the workshop participated in an interview (with singing!) for Northern Spirit Radio's Song of the Soul at the end of the week -- click here for more information and to listen.
Singing the Goddess, Staśa Morgan-Appel, Workshop Number: 23, Gathering Year: 2011
Description
Short Description:
From simple chants and rounds to more complicated songs; music that honors the Earth, the Goddess, nature, the seasons, silliness and each other. Come as you are, whether or not you think of yourself as a singer! No music-reading needed. Grounded in worship. Centering, joyful and fun. All genders welcome.
Long Description:
Expectations and objectives for the week:
Lots of singing. Lots of worship. Plenty of time, plenty of grace. No pressure. Some fun and silliness, too.
We will learn most material by ear, including songs with harmonies. Possibilities will include everything from simple songs, chants, and rounds, to pieces with multiple parts (including one five-part chant!). Some sheet music will be available.
Most of the material is written for soprano and alto voices, but I am happy to experiment with tenor and bass voices as long as you'll bear with my limited experience with those ranges.
A list of the specific areas or topics that you expect to cover. For some workshops this might include things that the workshop will NOT cover.
Most of our music will come from the feminist spirituality and earth spirituality movements, but don't be surprised to reclaim some pieces you may have first learned in other traditions, as well.
We will also experience worship-sharing with/through music.
A rough description of the format. This might include an estimate of the time to be spent in worship (most groups find 20 to 40 minutes daily gives good spiritual grounding), field trips you anticipate, writing activities (poetry, journaling, etc.), or other activities (role play, guided meditation, lecture, interactive exercises, discussion, etc.).
Rough format:
9:00-9:15, opening worship, ending with a song
9:15-9:30, check-ins and discussion, ending with a song
9:30-9:45, break
9:45-11:45, singing
Specific recommendations for advanced reading, or reading assignments during the Gathering.
None.
Specific requests for items to bring to the Gathering, such as artwork or manuscripts in progress.
Most important:
Your own sweet self.
Optional:
If you are moved, bring a song to share! If other people know it, you may request the group to sing it. If no one else knows it, we may ask you to sing it to us yourself and to teach it to us.
You may wish to bring a notebook, note paper, journal, spiritual journal, Book of Lights and Shadows, etc., for notes throughout the week.
Feel free to bring instruments, including percussion (drums, rattles, shakers, etc.). Songbooks are also welcome, especially ones with which Friends may be unfamiliar.
Please bring anything else you that will help you be comfortable (water bottle, snacks, layers of clothing, mediation cushion, etc.).
Leader Experience:
Staṡa loves to sing, particularly with other people. She has been involved with music ministry since 1986, and has taught feminist spirituality music since 1992. She is the co-author of A Winter Solstice Singing Ritual book and compact disc, and the founder of SpiralSong Feminist Spirituality Vocal Ensemble. Staṡa has taught Singing the Goddess mini-workshops, and sung Goddess music with Friends, at many Quaker gatherings throughout the US since 1997.