Songleading Intensive
Level 2
Do you feel called to deepen your craft of bringing people into song?
Learn, "lab", and lead alongside a supportive cohort of
committed songleaders in this dynamic training intensive.
Overview
This training intensive is comprised of:
-
Two virtual sessions, Tuesdays 9/8 & 9/15, 7 - 8:45pm EST
-
One 75 minute private coaching session (online or in-person in Boston), to be scheduled the week of 9/22
-
Simple homework assignments between sessions
-
A full day in-person training in Boston on Sunday 9/27, 10 - 5pm
Establishing Foundations with Virtual Sessions: songleading on zoom? How does that work? There actually is a lot about songleading you can learn and practice without having a group in front of you. Over these two weeks we will:
-
Learn and engage with Jordan’s "4-part songleading arc” theory
-
Review and discuss footage of songleaders leading
-
Practice effective oral tradition teaching skills
-
Record ourselves “mock teaching”
-
And more!
​​​​
For these virtual sessions, please plan to join on a laptop with stable internet connection.
​​​​
Continued Practice with “Homework”: songleaders will record themselves “mock teaching” a song every week. Recordings will be shared with facilitators and/or other participants for inspiration and feedback. Participants should plan on dedicating ~30 minutes for these homework assignments each week.
​​
Personalized Support with a 1-1 Coaching Session: all participants will receive a 75-minute 1-1 coaching session with facilitator Jordan Mudd, to dive deeper into the specific skills you want to develop. These sessions can be held in-person at Jordan’s home studio in Jamaica Plain, or online. These sessions will be held during the week of 9/21, and can be scheduled either 9 - 6pm Monday - Friday, 6 - 9pm on Tuesday the 22nd, or Saturday the 26, 10 - 3pm.
​​
Bring it all Together with a Full Day Workshop: The climax! Here we will put all we’ve been learning into practice: each songleader will have two 15 - 20 minute slots to "lab": lead the group (your cohort + additional singers from our community), experiment with different techniques and tools, and receive feedback and coaching. Plus, you’ll learn through witnessing the rest of your cohort members lead. Fellow Boston-Area Singing Circles co-founder milly roberts will join us for this workshop as a guest leader and coach. There will be an hour break for lunch: you can pack your own or there are options near the venue.
What will I learn?
Tips, tools, and techniques from all 4 parts of Jordan's "songleading arc" theory will be shared:​
​​
-
Teaching: effectively and efficiently teaching words, melody, and rhythm orally, without written music.
-
Orienting: giving context and direction to help people understand and invest in the song.
-
Leading: making invitations as the group sings to deepen into the song and give it more life.
-
Closing: ending the song in a smooth and satisfying way.
​
This intensive is highly experiential; as opposed to having a set curriculum, content will be tailored towards group interest, and much of the learning will happen through leading and receiving feedback and coaching.
This Intensive Is For You If:
-
You already have basic songleading experience and want to take a take your skills to the next level.
- ​Basic experience defined as: You have either led 5+ songs with any group, completed our June ‘26 Songleading Training, or have other comparable music/facilitation experience.
- While this intensive is designed for songleaders who lead a capella, songleaders who tend to lead with instruments are welcome to join as well.
- You are confident in your ability to hold and replicate rhythm & melody.
-
You are ready to commit to this intensive by showing up to each session and allotting time for homework assignments in between.
-
You are invested not just in your own growth but in supporting the learning of the rest of the cohort through engaging in supportive feedback processes.
​
Set-up a free consultation with Jordan here if you are unsure whether this training will be right for you.
About the Facilitators
Jordan Mudd
Facilitator
Jordan Mudd is a songleader, grief tender, vocal coach, and co-founder of Boston-Area Singing Circles. He has been catching & leading songs for close to a decade, and has led songs at protests, festivals, retreats, weddings, funerals, and many more spaces where people gather. Alongside a strong foundation in oral tradition community singing, he also draws upon his background in vocal improv as he leads. He has led a variety of songleader workshops over the years, most recently including a 4-week songleader training series in June. Learn more about him and listen to his music at www.jordanmudd.com or on bandcamp.
milly roberts
Guest Facilitator - Sunday Workshop
​​​milly roberts is a songleader, educator, community health musician, & wilderness guide with a passion for designing experiences that support the full range of human expression. She's been organizing community art experiences in Boston the last 4 years including co-creating Boston Area Singing Circles, the Songbuilders' Soirée, and the Somerville Recovery Music Circle. Her facilitation is marked by a playful approach that bring groups into a powerful brave zone.
Testimonials
from our 4-week songleaders training earlier this year, geared towards beginning songleaders:
​
"A fantastic introduction to leading groups in song. Lots of support. Genuine opportunity to try it out while getting useful feedback, and fantastic humans cheering you on the whole time. Take this workshop! The world needs more songleaders."
​
"A fantastic series and learning experience. Jordan’s framework provided a powerful and simple container to hold the complexity of song-leading, and to provide an easy reference in preparation and when leading. He broke complex skills and potentially otherwise daunting tasks into bite-sized, manageable pieces, such that completing each one felt like an empowering triumph. And he created a community that was warmly supportive. "
​
"I am so grateful for the supportive, enriching learning and practice container we co-created - and now I feel even more able to share song with others in my life! So good 🥰🌱"
Logistics
Location: our Sunday 9/27 workshop will be held in The Armory (191 Highland Ave, Somerville MA). The Armory is a 15 minute walk from Davis Square on the red line, and a 10 minute walk from Magoun Square on the green line. There is a free parking lot and bike racks behind the building.
Accessibility: The Armory is fully ADA accessible, with an entrance ramp, an elevator to upper floors, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. We will be on the second and third floors.
Housing: coming from out of town? We may be able to pair you with a community member who can host you Saturday and/or Sunday night. Please note in your application if you'd like to explore that option.
Cost & Registration
Cost: The regular cost for this series is $285, with a sliding scale from $185 - 385. If you are able to contribute more, that helps keep the cost accessible to those who can’t afford the regular cost.
​
Racial Equity Discount: Songleaders of color are eligible for an additional $50 discount. While we do not assume that all people of color require or want financial support to access this series, we also recognize that our, and many other community singing spaces are predominantly white. This discount is an effort to support more songleaders of color to step into song leadership.
​
Cancellation: Full refunds offered if you cancel before 9/1. Half-refunds offered if you cancel before 9/8. No refunds offered after 9/8 except for extenuating circumstances.
​
Application & Registration: This series will be limited to 12 songleaders. If you are interested, please fill out this brief application form. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.​
​
Have Questions? Set-up a free consultation with Jordan here or reach out by email (jordan@bostonareasingingcircles.com) if you'd like to talk more.
"Sunday Singers" Option:
Can’t commit to the full series? Join as a singer in our Sunday Workshop. Sunday Singers will not have the opportunity to songlead, but can still learn a lot through watching other songleaders lead and receive coaching. This is a great option for people who can’t commit to the full series, are just beginning their songleading journey, or who just want the joy of singing for a full day!
Sunday Singers Pricing:
-
Full Day Workshop: (10 - 5pm): $45 (sliding scale 30 - 60)
-
Half-Day Workshop: (either 10 - 1pm, or 2 - 5pm): $30, sliding scale 20 - 40
​
It is very supportive for the songleaders to have a full room of singers, so if you're interested we want you to be here! If the cost is prohibitive to you, reach out and we'll be happy to provide you a code for a free or discounted ticket.
