2025 Songwriting Workshop
Experience the magic of songwriting with one of Australia’s leading choral composers.
Sat 28 June – Sun 29 June
Founders Room, Salamanca Arts Centre
$225
Delve into the wonderful world of songwriting with your mentor, nationally respected composer and musical storyteller Paul Jarman. In this intimate and creative workshop, you will be encouraged to create and share stories and songs with new friends.
This workshop will include an open dialogue about how we write songs. Those who have not attended this workshop in previous years are encouraged to join Paul for an optional introductory session, where he will begin to look at the elements in the songwriters’ toolbox, including the nuts and bolts of composing, melodic nuances, finding inspiration and mindset, and integrity in storytelling.
In a collaborative and supportive environment, Paul and participants will work individually and together to craft music drawing from personal experiences and stories. Whether or not you read music or have much experience, if you’re interested in learning more about writing your own songs, you’re encouraged to attend. Previous attendees have described the experience as uniquely special for what they’ve taken away from the two days and friends they made along the way. Participants are also welcome to bring along instruments to this workshop.
The workshop schedule also includes a preliminary meet-and-greet session in the Singers’ Lounge with Paul and your fellow songwriters.
Workshop numbers are strictly capped at 18 participants, so be sure to register early to avoid disappointment!
Who should register?
Anyone with an interest in the craft of songwriting will find inspiration in this workshop – you don’t need to have an extensive musical background or be able to read music to be able to join the group, it’s open to anyone with the interest! Paul will work with you and your fellow participants at your own level and at your own pace. Participants are encouraged to bring instruments with them to assist in the songwriting process.
What's included?
The workshop fee will cover Paul’s tuition, your lanyard with Festival benefits, tea and coffee, and specially negotiated accommodation rates.
Patron advice
This workshop is designed for participants over 16 years of age.
Paul Jarman is a composer, lyricist, performer, musical director, and sought-after conductor, presenter, and adjudicator. He has been commissioned over two hundred times by ensembles in Australia and abroad. Many of Paul’s works have become modern choral standards and his music has been published worldwide.
As a cultural ambassador he has worked extensively throughout Australia, Europe, Asia, North America, the Indian and Pacific Ocean in festivals and special events with theatre productions, Aboriginal-Anglo Celtic performance groups, choirs, and orchestras, and as a multi-instrumentalist in Australia’s pioneering ‘world music’ ensemble Sirocco since 1996, representing Australia for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Musica Viva. He has also performed on various Australian movies and composed the music to Mike Dillon’s award-winning adventure documentary films.
In 2010, Paul’s piece for the 40th Anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King Jnr was performed for President Barack Obama in the White House, and in 2016, Paul was the only composer from the Southern Hemisphere among a group of some of todays most accomplished choral composers, commissioned by Oxford University Press to write a piece for the 400th Anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare.
Paul has composed and conducted the music for Australian special events including the Centenary of Federations, the Bicentenary of the Battle of Vinegar Hill, Year of the Outback, The Olympic Arts Festival, The Rugby World Cup Opening Ceremony, United Nations Year of the Mountain, The Queensland 150th and the Australia Day Spectacular. Paul has also composed over one hundred school anthems and is continually active in the development and promotion of choirs and music institutions across Australia and Asia. He has been the artist in residence at many of Australia’s leading schools. Paul is also the patron of the Orange Male Voice Choir.
"By nature, he can’t help but inspire, not only with his compositions which have a way of challenging every singer to be a better person; but also with his contagious passion, his sincere love of people from all walks of life and his limitless energy."
Julie Christiansen OAM – Founder, Voices of Birralee
Photo credit: Alastair Bett
REGISTRATIONS
Early bird $210
- Early bird-priced tickets are now SOLD OUT
Full price $225
Booking fee
- For bookings with a total value of $15 or less, a booking fee of $3 will be added upon check-out.
- For bookings with a total value between $15.01 and $199.99, a booking fee of $5 will be added upon check-out.
- For bookings with a total value of $200 or more, a booking fee of $10 will be added upon check-out.
Our pricing model
As a non-profit, we prioritise bringing singing and music to our communities, not maximising income. We work to make our ticket prices as affordable as possible, and we’re shifting to an early bird pricing model instead of concession pricing. This change focuses on equity, allowing everyone to secure tickets at a reduced price and helping us keep the festival accessible to as many people as possible.
Each event will have a set number of tickets available at the early bird price. Once these are sold, standard prices will apply. This ensures we can cover event costs while keeping the festival sustainable and maintaining affordable options for our audiences.
VENUE: The Founders Room – Salamanca Arts Centre
Getting to the venue
- The Founders Room is on Level 3, 77 Salamanca Pl, Battery Point TAS 7004
- 2 accessible parking spaces are available outside ‘The Den’ on Salamanca Place. More accessible parks are located on Salamanca Place in a sectioned-off parking lot opposite the restaurant strip.
Accessibility
Guide Dog and registered assistance animals welcome
Guide Dogs and service animal facilities
- Water bowls will be available at this event upon request
Wheelchair accessibility
- The Founders Room is accessible on Level 3 via the lift located in the Salamanca Arts Centre Courtyard.
- A ramp is present to provide access up 2 existing steps at the entrance to the Founders Room.
- Accessible bathrooms are available on every level of the Salamanca Arts Centre.
Conditions of sale
- Read the full conditions of sale.
- Festival of Voices adheres to the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice.
- All tickets are non-refundable unless otherwise specified on the specific event page.
Festival FAQs
Read Festival of Voices’ frequently asked questions.
Contact us
For assistance please contact us on 03 6224 5975 or at [email protected].
