April 8, 2025

Join us on Zoom this weekend.

A hearty welcome aboard to the folks from the SSV 8 Week Beginning Guitar Class at Walter Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro!

Note: the online sessions hosted by the folks at the national SSV are paused (see below).

Here are last week's shenanigans:

Participants:

Jeff, Don't try to tell us, a protest song, Bad man, Paradigm shift, suffering, (his own verses to the song) god bless the boys that make the noise on 16th avenue

Carl, Where is truth, The crime of silence

Sean, Into the Grey, Open your mind, Keep em on the toes, The needle and the damage done, Only one

Deb, What's up, Glass ceiling

David M (he's back listening today)

Ed, Poncho and lefty, Twisted throats

John L, Veteran's lament, Living here alone with you

Trish QOOC

Here's what will be happening on Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m.

We'll meet on Zoom. Bring something to share. Remember this month's theme: Speaking Truth to Power

Here's a link to get to the workshop:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82787694684?pwd=dmJWemxOckJET29mdCtJQjc3Ry8yZz09

Meeting ID: 827 8769 4684

Passcode: 939440



Last month we kicked off something new

We liked what the vets in Texas were doing with having a song prompt that lasts for the whole month. It gave a little direction to where folks were headed, without being overly programmatic or structured.

So we introduced Themes.

For the month of April, consider the following idea and if it finds its way into your songwriting or your choice of others' songs to play, enjoy exploring it. Thanks to Carl for suggesting the first one.

Speaking Truth to Power

Try writing a truth song, maybe perceived as a protest song, about to cuts to veterans benefits and services. Could be a song, poem or haiku.

Future Themes we're envisioning include Masters (great writers), How Stuff Works (how to, from technique to transposition), Play It Like You Mean It (performance), Song Craft.

So, give it a try. Or do what you usually do. We'll have some encouraging words, but no song police on duty.

And from the folks at the SSV home office:

We wanted to let you know that our master classes are currently on hiatus. Rest assured, we’re working hard behind the scenes and will resume classes in the near future. Please keep an eye on your inbox for further updates.

Thank you for your continued support.



Coming up:

We'll be at Artichoke Community Music on April 20 and on Zoom April 27. Save the dates!

And don't forget the weekly session with our partners, Warrior Beats on Wednesdays at 6 PST:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89190909283?pwd=1jX8bTa3H3qWLEsQ6rDbrrcPBjPBzN.1