“Joe is first and foremost a creative force of nature and, as a workshop leader or motivational speaker for the arts, he is without peer.”
Jim Magill, Director
The Swannanoa Gathering Folk Workshops
Black Mountain, NC
The Edge and Advantage
Joe tailors his presentation to your specific population, addressing areas of concentration that specifically support your curriculum and instructional goals. He has the unique ability to assess the situation and meet it head on.
An award winning educator for nearly 20 years, Joe’s clients include numerous schools, universities, teacher in-services, detention centers, special needs facilities, music camps, American String Teacher’s Association and corporate clients such as Wells Fargo and Enloe Medical Center. He is the Director of RiverTunes Music Camp and is Co-Director for the Wintergrass Youth Academy. And no matter who Joe’s connecting with – a community workshop in Costa Rica, a university lecture and demonstration in Washington, or on stage in front of thousands of school kids in Scotland – Joe’s at home and loving every minute.
Joe, Director of RiverTunes Roots Music & Creativity Camp, jams with his daughter Hattie along the banks of the American River in N. California ~ home of RiverTunes.
~ JOE’S MISSION STATEMENT ON ARTS EDUCATION~
My education outreach is based on a platform of empowerment. I define creativity as “The Pursuit of Possibility or “POP!”. I’m driven to help individuals take possession of what they already have and “demystify” art through self-expression as a daily ritual. As a self-appointed arts activist, my passion is to help folks realize the importance of seeing art and arts education, not merely as enrichment or enhancement, but as the bedrock of one’s life. It’s difficult to create the world as it might be if we have been required to memorize the world as it is; living out of imagination instead of memory is the way to a life of possibility. If art is approached – and taught – as a problem solving mechanism, people learn greater confidence, flexibility, self reliance and potential. In the real world, these are the kinds of “skills” that propel us from a mindset of “How will I survive?” to “How can I thrive?”
I believe that anybody can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat and make music confidently with other people. Folks who come to my concerts, often share with me that they feel refreshed in seeing the value of music making and artful living in their own lives.
Economic recession is a grim reality but allowing a recession in our ability to learn how to critically think, problem solve and see possibility is a reduction that, more than money, we can’t afford in our lives.
I am dedicated to providing workshops, assemblies, residencies and other outreach to help folks embrace creativity and music from schools to community workshops and private intensives. Therefore, I want to make my outreach to you as affordable as possible.
Email us for price information, questions or inquiries,
bookjoecraven@gmail.com or call Janet Kenworthy, Assistant, at 910.585.1614
Please note that Joe’s school schedule is not posted on his calendar
due to their nature as events not open to the general public.
What do professional educators and students
think of Joe Craven presentations? Click to read!
JOE’s EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Schools, Festivals, Camps, Weekend Retreats, Residencies,
One Day Workshops, Teacher In-Service, Group and Private Lessons
The PRIVATE INTENSIVE (A lesson with Joe)
A 2 hour session to fit the needs of the student.
This can be individual or a small group lesson (up to 6).
Offerings for Elementary, Middle and High School…
ASSEMBLIES
One hour (+ or -) Musical instruments and found sound from around the world. Performance mixed with motivational speaking about self expression & some participation; completely self-contained with sound system, etc., when possible. (5 stars – a favorite with most schools and highly recommended).
THREE & FIVE DAY SCHOOL RESIDENCIES;
1) EVERYONE LIVE… IN CONCERT! – I believe that music is as much a basic life skill as language, and that all people can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate confidently in music-making. This is all-inclusive program of school wide participation, teamwork, preparation and performance of a music program for the community by the student body demonstrating a variety of musical pieces the student learn. Break out sessions occur (approximately 50 – 60 min. in length?) with different grades over the course of the residency. The students use found sound and conventional instruments, demonstrating the ability for anyone to make and perform music!
OR…
2) THE MUSIC TREE – A music appreciation style program of listening, learning and discussing, (through recorded and live example), the relationships – and key musicians – between many different types of vernacular music in the US, and the world, today. Students then visually illustrate a “family tree” of music, “genealogically” through time, thereby seeing the ultimate connectedness of all music’s genres. A great way to expose students to a wide variety of music in the world! Highly recommended!
3) WHAT IS FOLK MUSIC? THE UNCOMMON MUSIC OF COMMON PEOPLE – in this program, Joe introduces the concept of teaching students folk music as a way of expressing, documenting and preserving their everyday life experiences, thus creating “personal music diaries” for themselves.
A copy of the brochure from an exhibition Joe curated on folk music in 1981 (available on request), highlights the “ballad” and is a model for this presentation.
Joe demonstrates how the process of folk music works which, for him, are pieces learned from the aural tradition of observation – handed down person to person and generation to generation. Tunes and songs embellished and altered with different versions through time ultimately creating new music altogether. Music doesn’t belong to individuals so much as it belongs to cultures and to humanity. When you are learning other people’s music you are learning your own. When you discover theirs, it is a foundation in discovering your own!
- Spontaneity and improvisation in composition
- Percussion and voice / “being in the moment”
- Call and response
- Examples of everyday topics for writing lyrics
- Composing and performing songs and rhythms with students in small groups
CLASSROOM CLINIC INTENSIVES
Violin, Mandolin and/or Percussion Instrument Instruction
A 90 to 120 minute session. Rhythm, playing by ear, improvisation, tips for better practicing, self-motivation, goals, intention, and more…
Improvisation for Middle and High School Band and Orchestra (***** rated).
A popular offering for years now, Joe introduces an intuitive way to play “off the paper.” “Cross Over” (the combining of vernacular and classically taught music) is very popular now and Joe brings a playful, fun approach to the aural traditions of music to students.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
MY FAMILY MAKES MUSIC!
Generally, an after school or early evening 2 hour program designed to have children and their families learn the dynamics of connection with each other through music making on a variety of instruments that Joe provides and sharing their music with others. The joy of “the folk arts process” of community building is explored and celebrated through “jamming”!
FROM STRUTTIN’ & SPEAKIN’ to RHYTHM & SONG!
Lots of walkin’ and talkin’- Lots of songs and rhythms – bringing your body (outdoor) & voice (indoor) instruments out to play!
EDUCATOR IN-SERVICE ~ for Teachers And Parents
One to two hour lecture/demonstration/discussion/participation format on topics such as, but not limited to;
1) “TURNING UP CREATIVE FLAME TO AVOID JOB BURNOUT!”
A workshop that promotes the fun and value of the individual teacher taking greater creative risk through the idea of spontaneous play within themselves to help encourage that example within their students. This approach promotes the concept of informal learning within the more formal structure of standardized curriculum.
2) “BREAKING THROUGH YOUR TEACHING BOX…THEN PLAYING ON IT!”
Ideas for integration of creative problem solving, critical thinking and artful living into existing curriculum while adhering to standards guidelines. The workshop is participatory, fast paced, motivational and fun with fresh perspectives and ideas! (20 participant maximum)
PLAYSHOPS (workshops) for music festivals,
camps and community groups
IMPROVISATION: In the Moment and Movement Without A Net!
How do you make better music in the moment and/or say something different every time you take a solo? This class is to help deepen one’s connection to spontaneity and flow through organized sound that deepens the self-expression we all seek. We’ll focus on ways to think differently about sound and fearlessness, and Joe will address the connection between spokenword language and the sound language of music. The significance of rhythmic phrasing is explored, along with heightened listening, observation, imitation, disassociation and metaphor in music making.
PUTTING A NEW DRESS ON THE PIG
Take an old tune and make it new; take a new song and make it old. Looking at things differently is part of a long, great tradition in Folk Music! Bring any instruments, ideas and challenge Joe and the group!
THE CREATIVITY OF “FOLK PROCESS”
This fun class focuses on creative problem-solving in your music with both old and new approaches. The concept of “recycling” in music is explored as; 1) Object: innovative uses of conventional and found objects as instruments 2) Idea: reinterpretation and re-composition (new music comes out of old music).
This is open to all instruments and all folks wanting to deepen their connection to their own creative voice. Joe’s critically acclaimed CDs, CAMPTOWN, MO’JOE, FOAKEE and DJANGO LATINO are testimonies to his folk music philosophy. Come with tunes, songs and objects that you wish to musically alter.
IT DON’T MEAN A THING (IF IT AIN’T GOT THAT SWING)
Ahhh…that “lilting” swing time rhythm – what is it? It’s a sound, a rhythm, a dance and something that lifts the spirit every time it comes around. In this all instruments session, Joe will not only show you how swing lives as style, (including a gateway to Jazz’s popularity), but how it is the “feel” of bounce, sway, roundness, elasticity and “pocket” in vernacular music.
“JOEJAM”; THE ART OF THE JAM!
Joe loves giving people ideas & tools to make connections with informally made music. He starts with the basics; listening, using whatever is in your toolbox, rhythm, solos, singing, good manners, and then so much more! Its fun and encouraging to play music informally and spontaneously with folks from duos to large gatherings; learning to fit in and what to contribute are part of the etiquette.. Everyone has a space…and a place….in music making. Joe helps you find yours. Your table is waiting, so come take possession of what you already have!
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX…AND PLAYING ON IT!
An adventure open to all folks who wish to deepen their connection to self-expression. Explore the joy of organized sound by learning to think differently about it all. Challenge Joe by bringing objects to his “Alter of Found Sound” that you wish to see musically defined. Explore the joy of spontaneity, improvisation and self-expression in music making. Heightened listening, observation and imitation, and rhythm are touched on. As Joe puts it, “If you want to live an artful life, you got to find ways to bust through the box of normality, category, mediocrity. I try to mix the discipline of being an adult with the wonder of a child… Staying open to things, focusing, listening deeper, looking longer and letting go. It’s about passion and that means sometimes you’ve got to quit thinking… just close your eyes, do it, feel it…and learn.
RHYTHM! INSIDE THE ENGINE ROOM
This workshop or playshop, as Joe likes to call it, is open to all instruments. Even If you’ve never picked up a string or percussion instrument, Joe will briefly demonstrate how anybody can play music right away by simply organizing sound! Everyone moves rhythmically through every day of their life. Through rhythmic phrasing you can say powerful things with just one pitch (note) or chord. There are always new ways of deepening your connection to your music through it’s most fundamental element…RHYTHM! As Joe puts it, “You’ve got the time, so why not make your music?”
SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL
Discovering and furthering the “Life Drummer” in yourself with the organic, intuitive way that Joe himself learned. Connecting your daily movements to the movements of organized sound along with awakening to most anything in your immediate environment as your toolbox of expression, can make you more musical than you ever imagined. Joe can give you great ideas!
UNDERSTANDING THE BLUES
The blues are truly a foundation and inspiration for most traditional and contemporary vernacular American music. This adventure is open to ALL instruments. We’ll listen to historical references from early recordings to the present. And yeah, we’ll learn some technical stuff; basic forms, a few scales and stompin’ on the groove. We’ll also tackle how to translate the “feel” of the grease, the groan and the growl of the blues to your instrument, and importantly, we’ll address learning how to take your time sayin’ a bunch – without playin’ a bunch – of notes. After all’s said and done, playin’ the blues ain’t a math problem and it ain’t rocket science – it’s about intuition and release of emotion. The more you surrender to the feeling, the better you’ll do it! We’ll have a great time.
FIDDLING THE FIRST DAY! BEGINNING YOUR JOURNEY…
Have you always wanted play the fiddle? For first timers and beginners, Joe jump starts your desire to play in this fun playshop. Boldly bow where no bowing has gone on before! Joe shows you how to comfortably and confidently bow in different keys and even play a simple tune er two! You will be able to join and support a jam after this session! BYOV* (*bring your own violin – borrowed from a friend or your own).
WHAT IS FOLK MUSIC? THE UNCOMMON MUSIC OF COMMON PEOPLE
In this presentation, Joe introduces the concept of teaching students folk music as a way of expressing, documenting and preserving their everyday life experiences, thus creating “personal music diaries” for themselves.
A copy of the brochure from an exhibition Joe curated on folk music in 1981 (available on request), highlights the “ballad” and is a model for this presentation.
Joe demonstrates how the process of folk music works which, for him, are pieces learned from the aural tradition of observation – handed down person to person and generation to generation. Tunes and songs embellished and altered with different versions through time ultimately creating new music altogether. Music doesn’t belong to individuals so much as it belongs to cultures and to humanity. When you are learning other people’s music you are learning your own. When you discover theirs, it is a foundation in discovering your own!
- Spontaneity and improvisation in composition
- Percussion and voice / “being in the moment”
- Call and response
- Examples of everyday topics for writing lyrics
Please note that Joe’s school schedule is not posted on his calendar due to their nature as events not open to the general public.
