Music 201, Volume 3
President Katherine Bergeron and her husband Butch Rovan release new CD with 糖心TV students.
Rock star David Bowie once said that we write songs in an effort to reclaim the unsayable.
Using music to connect with those around you by looking inward is a familiar notion for students in 鈥淢usic 201: On Songs and Songwriting,鈥� a class co-taught by 糖心TV President Katherine Bergeron and her husband, Butch Rovan.
鈥淪ongs can be a tool, like an emotional pocket knife whittling away at worries, hopes and fears,鈥� said Bergeron and Rovan. 鈥淗ere lies the power of song: the way it defines different parts of our lives; serves as a repository of memory; builds community; gives voice to things we cannot say.鈥�
Now in its third year, Music 201 plumbs these creative depths. It is also an analytical and critical look at the craft of songwriting. Students spend the year studying composition with Bergeron鈥攁 trained singer and music historian鈥攁nd Rovan, a Brown University music professor, multi-instrumentalist, artist, performer and composer.
The highlight of the class is the opportunity for each student to write and record a new song that will appear on an album released at the end of the year. This year鈥檚 record, , ranges in style from indie folk to bossa nova, jump blues and pop-rock. Recorded by Rovan in Fortune Recital Hall on campus, it was produced and mastered by Bergeron and Rovan.
Music major Lucie Bernheim 鈥�24 learned about Music 201 during a campus visit as a prospective student. Her song, 鈥淪alvation,鈥� which opens this year鈥檚 record, began with a single lyrical idea that came to her in a dream: 鈥淲ould you believe I haven鈥檛 learned to drive?鈥�
Of her songwriting journey, Bernheim explained: 鈥淭he process of writing my song was longer than usual for me. It started with the opening line and I had one other line that I knew I would use鈥斺�榯he rain on the windshield is a souvenir from the sky,鈥� which I wrote the night John Prine died.鈥�
Suffering from writer鈥檚 block, Bernheim attended a dance show on campus, only to leave early when inspiration struck.
鈥淪omething about watching people dance always inspires me,鈥� she said.
Evan Strouse 鈥�24, a music major and Hispanic studies and education double minor, wrote a 13-bar jump blues track centered on his lack of sleep and need for coffee.
鈥淚t was one line written as an idea earlier in the course,鈥� Strouse said. 鈥淏ut I decided to write in the genre after having a really inspiring class where we all wrote short blues tunes. It was so eye-opening to work alongside other songwriters and musicians throughout the process,鈥� he added.
Strouse also enjoyed the course鈥檚 historical perspective.
鈥淭he most fascinating part was how far back we went to Medieval and Renaissance times, talking about the beautiful melodies by Hildegard of Bingen or the early notation system created by Guido of Arezzo,鈥� he said.
For both Strouse and Bernheim, the process of working with their instructors was equally invaluable.
鈥淧resident Bergeron and Butch brought years of expertise and excitement and passion for music that was contagious and encouraging,鈥� said Bernheim.
Read more about Music 201, Volume 3 in .
