The Crest Room inside the Idaho Student Union building was filled with students for the The Introduction to Songwriting Workshop with Kate Skinner on Thursday.
As part of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, on Thursday there were many workshops covering a variety of topics for the visiting musicians. This workshop brought in an overflow of them.
Around 40 students came in initially, dropping their varying instrument cases in the back of the room before sitting down. As the workshop began, a steady trickle of students ranging from middle school to college wandered in until there were about 75 students in the room. Some even had to sit on the floor in the back and on the sides of the room.
Skinner led the workshop. She has a masters degree and a doctorate degree in Jazz Studies. This is her fourth-year teaching at the University of Idaho. Her specialty is in non-classical contemporary piano and vocal, but she also works with students who play a variety of instruments.
“I make a living as a teacher here but then I also make a living as a professional musician,” Skinner said. “I play a lot of Jazz music obviously, but I also do a lot of Pop gigs and Rock gigs and Funk gigs and R&B”.
There were five sections to this workshop, beginning with “A craft and an art” where Skinner explained the elements of both how to find a balance between the two.
She said the art portion of songwriting includes emotions, heart and soul and personal expression. While the craft portion requires form, harmony, melody and lyric construction.
“If you want to make a living as a songwriter, learning about the craft is really important,” Skinner said. “All of us can write songs artfully and do that as an expressive outlet and I highly encourage you to do that. If you’re thinking about making a living doing it, you kind of want to think about that craft side of it too.”
Skinner compared this to playing any sport. They require skills that take time and practice.
With each element Skimmer had a song to listen to and breakdown on the piano. She even made the workshop interactive with printed out lyrics for audience members to follow along with to increase participation.
When the workshop came to an end the students were able to ask questions. Although they were shy at first, many hands shot up to ask about Skinner’s experiences and any advice she had for young musicians.
As soon as the clock hit the 3:15 p.m. mark, ending the workshop, the students frantically got their things together. They hurried out as quickly as they came in, to either get some food or move on to their next workshop of the day.
Paige Fiske can be reached at [email protected].