Aug. 24, 2026 - PMN Songwriters Peer Feedback Session: "If I had a Song" (Zoom only) (08/24/2026)

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 23:30:00 GMT

*** Registration Deadline: Sunday, Aug 23rd, 2026 at 10:00 PM (Eastern).

Workshop Description

Songwriters in People's Music Network strive to write songs that wake people up, challenge the status quo, and reach hearts and minds. We don't believe it takes larger-than-life talent to create powerful songs. Rather, the craft of songwriting involves skill, practice, hard work, and the willingness to listen to how our words and music land with others.

Through our monthly “If I Had a Song” workshops, PMN is building a loving and supportive creative community that provides songwriters with the honest listening we need. Participants present a song-in-progress to like-minded songwriters, and receive constructive feedback. We’d love to have you join us.

BREAKOUT GROUPS: During the session, we'll break into groups of 4-5 songwriters presenting songs-in-progress. Each presenting songwriter gets 15 minutes to share their song and receive peer critique from the group. We'll explore giving and receiving kind, truthful and supportive feedback, while striving to make our songs more effective. One may register for the workshop as a supporting songwriter to listen and give feedback. Breakout groups may have 1-3 supporting songwriters.

LYRIC SHARING: On the day of the workshop, all confirmed registrants will receive an email containing the Zoom link plus a link to a Google Drive folder. Confirmed registrants will receive a separate notification via Google Drive, which gives you the ability to make written comments on other people's lyrics-in-progress. This can be done before, during, or after the session.

Requirements for Participation:

There is no wait list for the session. Every registrant who meets the following requirements will be confirmed to present a song-in-progress for peer critique:

At the time of registration, if you are bringing a song to the group for critique, you must submit a lyric sheet of an original song you are working on. This means 1) you wrote the lyrics and 2) your intention is to get feedback from others to help you do further work on your song to improve it. If you believe your song is finished and do not intend to do further work on the song, it should not be submitted.
The song-in-progress you submit should connect with PMN’s mission of using music as a catalyst for a just and peaceful world.

Eligibility to Participate:

Participants in this workshop must:

be PMN members in good standing*
register using this form
have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone.

* If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN

Workshop Facilitators:

Marcie Boyd is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, teacher, activist, and longtime PMN member. She lives in Berkeley, CA, where she sings with Occupella and the LaPeña Chorus.
Steve Deasy: Award-winning American-Canadian performing songwriter, producer and arranger; socially conscious in the tradition of Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger with contemporary musicality. www.stevedeasy.com
Eric H. F. Law: Singer/songwriter, visual artist, Episcopal Priest, author of over 10 books on building justice and inclusive communities and founder of the Kaleidoscope Institute for diverse and sustainable communities. https://erichflaw.hearnow.com/
Joanie Calem is a musician, singer/songwriter, storyteller, disability awareness activist, community-builder, cross-cultural worker and teacher. She has been teaching music and performing since 1983. Joanie uses music to break down stereotypes, build community and foster connection.
Barbara Dyskant is a singer, writer of songs both serious and mischievous, and pianist playing many musical styles, who hopes for a better world for all. A longtime PMN member, Barbara enjoys a generous helping of joy and humor in the midst of it all and loves interacting with other songwriters and musicians.

FACILITATORS EXPLAIN THIS PROCESS

Watch our 3 minute video explaining how members of the People's Music Network are building a community of peers who are writing songs for social change:

People's Music Network upcoming events

Aug. 24, 2026 - PMN Songwriters Peer Feedback Session: "If I had a Song" (Zoom only) (08/24/2026)