Ever wish you could get feedback on a song before performing it live? Or get unstuck on a tricky lyric? Or connect with other songwriters in Portland?
Portland Songwriters Guild is excited to bring back Song Church—a casual, welcoming evening where songwriters can share music, collaborate, give and receive feedback, and build connections with fellow musicians. As one of our original programs, Song Church has brought together over 100 songwriters in Portland to collaborate and workshop songs in a variety of community spaces.
How does it work?
Artists will be put into groups of 5-6 songwriters who will meet every other week for a total of five gatherings. There will be five different groups (25-30 songwriters total). Each group will have a dedicated facilitator to host the session. Each member will have the opportunity to share a song and ask for feedback, thoughts or ideas — anything from “do you think this lyric makes sense in the second verse?” to “does this song feel finished as it is now?”
Small groups will stay the same for the duration of Song Church. This helps build rapport and trust in the group. We want to create a safe space where people feel comfortable sharing and receiving feedback.
Who can sign up?
Any songwriter in the greater Portland area who is 18 years or older and who can attend in-person gatherings.
When and where will it take place?
Song Church will take place bi-weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 from the end of February to mid April at an elementary school within the Grant Park area of NE Portland. Locations are subject to change depending on availability. We plan to meet the following dates:
February 19
March 5
March 19
April 2
April 16
How much does it cost? What does this money go toward?
We have priced Song Church at $50 per person ($10 per gathering).
We do not want money to hold anyone back from attending. Please email pdxsongwriters@gmail.com to inquire about scholarships.
$10 per gathering per person covers the cost of renting classrooms, paying a stipend to our facilitators, and fees to PSG.
No refunds.
How will I be put into a songwriting group?
Groups will be created by Portland Songwriters Guild prior to the first meeting. You will be asked a series of questions in the survey to help us find the best fit for you. Expect the following questions:
Name & pronouns
Age
Race/ethnicity
If you identify as LGBTQ
What will make you feel most safe and comfortable in your group (i.e., if there is a femme host, or other people of color in your group)
Your past songwriting experience ranging from beginner to advanced
What you’re hoping to accomplish and get out of Song Church
We will email you your group, meeting location, day, and time by February 7th.
Expectations
We know how vulnerable it is to share your music, let alone an unfinished song! To create a creative, fun, and safe space, we want everyone to meet with the same group of people for the duration of this cohort with the goal that you’ll build trust and a comfortable space for you to leave with better songs and some friends, too! Once you’re given your group, we’ll ask you if this is a commitment you can make for the entirety of the cohort. We ask that you please honor and respect one another by showing up at the agreed-upon time unless you give a heads-up that you’ll be out of town, have a previous conflict, or are sick.
Each group will have a facilitator. This person is in charge of group communication, navigating hard conversations, helping give feedback, and ultimately overseeing that the group's tone remains positive. Facilitators are chosen and interviewed by Portland Songwriters Guild.
We have a strict Zero Tolerance Policy that will be in place for Song Church and all Portland Songwriters Events.