On the weekend of Feb. 11–12 Val Mindel, Emily Miller and Jesse Milnes will be giving a country harmony workshop in Baltimore, focusing on American traditional and early country (old-time, bluegrass and gospel) singing styles that feature three-part harmonies.
Details:
The workshop is divided into two sessions; you can do one or both. Single-day participants are encouraged to come on Saturday, when basics are covered. Because space is limited, preference will be given to two-day participants. Some singing experience is important. Songs and parts will be taught by ear.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Repertory and the basics of making up three-part harmony, using songs that range from easy to challenging, including some work in smaller groups. The focus is on crossing harmonies and other interesting ways to make use of three voices.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: We’ll carry on the work of the day before, tackling new songs (including a session specifically aimed at singing country and honky-tonk material) and looking at ways to solve some common arranging issues.
The Teachers:
Val Mindel, Emily Miller and Jesse Milnes count up almost 100 years of American traditional music between them. Val and daughter Emily have been singing together for all of Emily’s life and have been teaching together for the past 14 years, giving harmony workshops across the US and abroad. Their specialty is the tight harmony so prevalent in early country music. Jesse, an extraordinary fiddler, guitarist and singer and son of West Virginia musician and folklorist Gerry Milnes, has also been making music all his life. He and Emily perform as a duo and are part of the Sweetback Sisters, a popular country band heard on such national venues as Mountain Stage and A Prairie Home Companion. Jesse joined Val and Emily on their 2007 album “In the Valley” (www.valandemmy.com). The Sweetback Sisters’ new album, “Looking for a Fight” (www.thesweetbacksisters.com), was released in 2011 on Signature Sounds. They are currently touring in the US and Europe. Val has played with a number of bands, including the West Coast’s Any Old Time String Band, and is frequently on staff at music camps across the US, including the Augusta Heritage Center, Village Harmony and Allegheny Echoes. She teaches regular classes in country harmony at Jalopy music school in Brooklyn, New York.
Where: TBA (in Baltimore—we will send out the address to attendees)
Cost: Workshop fee is $100 for the weekend; $60 for one day.
To reserve a space email Genie Moore (geniemoore@me.com) or Val Mindel (vmindel@gmail.com). Once you’ve reserved a space, you’ll confirm by sending a check for full amount made out to Val Mindel; Genie can give you the address of where to send the check, and where to come for the workshop once space is confirmed. Checks won’t be cashed until after the workshop. Space is limited to 20 (plus organizers); reservations are a must.
On Saturday night, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., there will be a house concert with Val, Emily and Jesse at venue to be announced, followed by an old-time/country jam session for those with unstoppable energy.
