A unique retreat meant to inspire young songwriters with nature is now open for registration from youth all across Saskatchewan, and it’s featuring a handful of local songwriting mentors from here on the prairies.
The Songwriting 4 Nature youth camp is a program organized by the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, meant to gather young songwriters together to learn from each other and find inspiration in the nature around them.
The retreat will take a group of songwriters to Last Mountain Lake Regional Park from May 28-31, for a weekend of camping and activities to further their songwriting skills.
The students will have a chance to learn from prairie songwriters about the writing process and spend time with a group of people interested in music like themselves.
This year’s retreat will feature Juno nominee Megan Nash, Proudly Saskatchewan Showcase winner Kara Golemba, and Prairie Dog Best of award winner Ryan Hicks as songwriting mentors.
Alongside workshops and writing sessions, the group will also take part in activities like hiking, yoga, group writing opportunities, and more to build connections with both the surrounding landscape and each other.
Alongside working on their own songwriting, the group will also work on a song together over the weekend.
Glenn Sutter, program organizer from the RSM as well as a folk-rock musician himself, is hoping to see the young musicians discover a sense of inspiration from the weekend.
“The idea is that it's a chance for students who are interested in music and nature to bring those interests together and create music,” said Sutter. “You get to rub shoulders with active songwriters in Saskatchewan, [and] it's a chance to really gain some insight directly from people who are doing this kind of artistic work.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring along things they’ve already written, like lyrics or poems, as well as their own guitar if they’d like, although there will be instruments provided.
There is no minimum requirement for musical skills, as the retreat is focusing on fostering creativity, invoking a sense of inspiration from nature, and making connections between youth with similar interests.
“You don't have to be a really strong musician, you need just to be creative and interested in and have a little bit of music understanding to get something out of it,” said Sutter.
The youth will also have an opportunity to record an individual demo of their own if they choose, which can be included in the RSM’s “Nature Inspires” exhibit at the museum. They can also choose to perform in the Songs for Nature Showcase at the museum on June 10.
The youth camp was first held back in 2015, and Sutter felt that it was time to bring the youth program back this year. The RSM has held adult songwriting retreats each year, and the youth retreat is a welcome addition.
“[We hope to inspire] a sense of inspiration and a deeper appreciation for nature as a source of inspiration,” said Sutter. “I think they'll come away with improved skills and a whole raft of insights about how they can take an idea and pursue it, form it into something.”
Students from grades 9-12 are eligible to register for the retreat, and there will be a limit of 15 attendees.
Registration is now open and can be completed online through the Royal Saskatchewan Museum website. The weekend cost is $80 per person until March 20, after which registration increases to $115 per person.
More information about past songwriting retreats from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum is also available on their Songs 4 Nature website.
