SUMMER SONGS 2023 with PETER ELDRIDGE July 6-10, 2023
SUMMER SONGS 2023
JULY 6-7-8-9-10, 2023
Vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger and mentor to many, Peter Eldridge brings his well-traveled strengths and sensibilities to Massachusetts for five days of musical discovery and deeper vocal awareness. Classes in composition, song interpretation and reinvention, the art of the performing duo (each participant and Peter accompanying/singing), as well as time spent on improving vocal technique, and listening sessions. During this intensive, Peter will work with each vocalist on a special arrangement to be performed in a closing Duos concert (songwriters welcome and encouraged!). It will be a time of open-heartedness and expression.
Join Peter for 5 days and 4 nights in beautiful Plainfield, Mass. at the Nine Mountain retreat center.
SCHEDULE
Arrival Thursday afternoon July 6th
for dinner and an evening session
Friday and Saturday July 7th and 8th are full workshop days
Sunday July 9th morning session, rehearsal and tech-in for the concert
Sunday evening culminating Duos Concert.
Singers will perform with Peter plus a bass/drummer combo,
Monday, July 10th checkout by 2:00pm after lunch
TUITION: Register by APRIL 1, 2023
$900 includes lodging, all meals, culminating concert and all workshop sessions
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO REGISTER NOW
It was a marvelous weekend, with interesting people, warm welcomes and very inspiring musical exchanges. Peter was so generous, insightful and good spirited that he was able to bring out the music within us. It was truly a magnificent experience. I would surely do it again! - Kiko Pereira
Thank you, Peter for these four wonderful, intense days full of music, inspiration, stories, talking, laughing and meeting new friends ... Such a gift to travel to beautiful places to meet and hear the unique voices that are still sounding in my ears, and to connect to you, lovely people! Hope to meet you all again -Britta Rex
...four days with incredibly kind and talented singers !
Biggest takeaways for me— (1) the coolest thing was witnessing songs being transformed through experimentation, unique arrangements and the group/Peter’s feedback, (2) this group turned me on to a whole universe of singers I never knew about.
- Shana Adams
This workshop with Peter was incredible. I’m very grateful to have been part of Peters workshop which had a very high level and Peter was such an inspiring and sensitive teacher for every one of us; it was really a special time and especially inspiring and helpful for song writing.
- Heidy Hoekstra-König
This Workshop was amazing, awesome, heart touching, … take any word for being deeply touched and for me it fits.
Main reason is, that Peter Eldridge is a wonderful piano-player, a wonderful singer, a wonderful composer and arranger and also a wonderful teacher. If you work with him, you notice a very deep abandon to your own way of going around with music. He is so sensitive to notice your wishes, skill sets, your favorites and your brakes and your barriers to develop. He has a perfect mix of being facing and preparing for his pupils and at the same time being decisive and clear.
I deeply know, what I’m writing about, because I’ve been a teacher for about 40 years.
To work with Peter means such a big benefit for singers, composers and arrangers. I enjoyed so much the work with him. I learned a lot and I returned with lots of positive inspirations! ~ Martin Gehrigk
Nine Mountain is a retreat & workshop center located in the beautiful Berkshire hills of Western Mass.
Workshop Offerings
Songwriting
Peter loves to work with songwriters, from beginners to established composers (in all variety of styles) and this workshop helps songwriters strengthen their craft through various means such as class exercises, impromptu performances, and song analyzation. Topics include the art of editing (holding on to what feels absolutely vital to a particular song and letting go of what may not serve it), as well as the use of language, playing with harmonic and melodic elements, changing a basic component (rhythm, tonality, etc) to bring out something stronger, as well as the concept of less rhyming. Songwriting is obviously an extremely personal thing and Peter is respectful of that, while at the same time trying to inspire his students to go a little deeper.
Before and After / The Art of Song Reinvention
Peter and students will take well-established jazz, pop or soul tunes and ‘reinvent’ them - taking the essence of the song and turning it upside down (harmonically, rhythmically, structurally, lyrically) to bring about a new ‘life’ or a different meaning or intention to the tune. It’s a fun ‘lab’ of sorts, with contributions by all members of the workshop. A mix of arranging and performing with a very personalized slant.
Culminating Duos Concert
- Peter will join together with each individual vocalist -on an original composition or re-invention for the concert on Sunday evening.
The Duo setting is an intimate experience with very little to hide behind, so honesty and vulnerability can shine through. Bass and drums also available for the Sunday rehearsals and performance.
JAZZ TIMES READER'S POLL 2019
New Release #2 Peter Eldridge/Kenny Werner Somewhere
Vocal Release #3 New York Voices Reminiscing in Tempo
Peter Eldridge is a Master.
A masterful singer and musician, a masterful arranger, a masterful creator and composer, a masterful lyricist, a masterful teacher and nevertheless a masterful human being. In his online class Peter shared his wisdom with great generosity. It was very inspiring, great fun (what more can you ask for?) and I can highly recommend working with Peter! Go catch him! -Marc Secara
