FilkCamp Info Page

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(Hint: It's' not a con!)

FilkCamp is a new event scheduled for August 21-23, 2009 at Oakwood Retreat Center outside of Muncie, IN. It's not a filk con; instead, it's a chance for you to spend a weekend in the woods (the Camp part), while improving your musicianship (the Filk part). During the weekend, professional teachers, some from the filk community and some from outside, will help you "take your music to the next stage." We all get stuck in our musical growth, and this weekend is designed to help you get unstuck and on to the next level. FilkCamp is also a chance for you to explore aspects of music-making that are new or intimidating in a safe and supportive atmosphere. You can focus on one particular area, or explore a variety of things over the course of the weekend — it's up to you.

We may go to a workshop at a convention from time to time, or we may even find the time to take a lesson or two, but often this is not enough to help us improve to the level we'd like. By attending a focused but fun-filled weekend, you'll have an opportunity to learn new things, put them into practice, and enjoy making music with your fellow filkers. The goal is to leave with an improved musical skill set, increased confidence, and the motivation to keep after it!

FilkCamp will offer hands-on classes and workshops for beginning, intermediate, and advanced musicians; here are some possible areas:

Guitar technique

Vocal technique

Singing harmony

Music theory

Recording arts (home and studio options)

Songwriting

Performing and stage presence

Accompanying yourself and others; playing and singing in a group

Selecting and maintaining your ideal guitar

Setting up your guitar to maximize its sound and playability

Why it's important to know about intellectual property laws

Other topics as defined by YOU. We'll select the topics most people want, so let us know what you want most!

Please take a few minutes to take our survey. Your feedback is important because your wants and needs shape the offerings at FilkCamp.

Of course, there will be time for doing the usual camp stuff, including:

Hiking

Arts and crafts

Swimming

Morning and evening yoga

Making music around a bonfire and maybe even some drumming

Musical hayride

Saturday night concert and open mic

Full and mini-massages (hands, shoulders, arms)

Just hanging out with your fellow filkers in a relaxed outdoor setting

Arts and crafts (optional; pay for what you make) will include things like making simple instruments, silk scarf dyeing, and tie-dyeing t-shirts. (You can probably even make a lanyard if you really, really want to.) Saturday night will feature an open mic and a concert by the faculty, and there may be a song-writing contest. There is a small pool, and there are hiking trails over much of the property. Several body workers live at the retreat center and you can sign up for a massage for a reasonable cost.