Common Ground On The Hill 2023

Rod’s upcoming classes are part of a three-week online arts camp, with a wide range of classes in arts and music and an outstanding faculty. Registering for CGOTH includes access to catalog class offerings and free admission to evening events, including lectures and concerts with name artists during the week. Classes are interactive and offer performance opportunities and individual and group feedback.
Week One June 26-30 is Virtual via zoom, attend from anywhere.
Week Two July 2-7 in person at CGOTH, McDaniel College, Westminster, MD

Comments from previous classes:
“Best song writing instructor I have had at Common Ground.  Able to analyze songs and give great feedback.”
“Loved working with Rod, as always. Very helpful, and informative!”
“Great performance suggestions and advice. Rod is a wonderful teacher, and the course worked remarkably well, despite having to switch to online format.”
To see the entire catalog: https://www.commongroundonthehill.org
To register for Rod’s classes click here: https://www.commongroundonthehill.org/instructors/macdonald-rod

Songwriting with Rod MacDonald

From the beginner to the experienced writer, making real songs means respecting your inspiration and learning some technique. This course aims to get you started and give you the tools to express yourself in music and words. Speak your mind in an artistic and convincing way, with humor, anger, poetic and musical artistry, storytelling, character, and facts, and be understood clearly. Sing Out! calls Rod “A modern day troubadour of the people and for the people.”
Week One June 26-30 10 am via zoom
Week Two July 2-7 9 am in person

The Roots Experience In Popular Music

Whether from the communal life of a village, a child’s upbringing, the energy of a big city or the power of a social movement, great music often takes the creative artist on a personal journey to new surroundings and performance styles. Viewed through the lens of individual artists’ biographies, videos, recordings and research materials, this lecture class will open the windows into the lives and work of some of America’s greatest roots-inspired musicians. Join Greenwich Village singer-songwriter and Florida Atlantic University’s “Music Americana” Distinguished Faculty Member, Rod McDonald, in this experience. The class is offered both weeks, each week featuring different artists.

Week I, Virtual: Bessie Smith & Ethel Waters, Leadbelly & Josh White, Muddy Waters & Chess Records, Duke Ellington and Paul Robeson.

Week II, In Person: Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Buffy Ste. Marie, John Prine & Harry Chapin.