Adult Americana Project students making music

The Sisters Park & Recreation District's Adult Americana Project class began January 24, and students are having a blast. At capacity, there are 15 students in the class held at Sisters Art Works. The music-filled classroom is full of eager, aspiring musicians who have been waiting for their chance to experience what the students at Sisters High School have been enjoying for years. In the second year for the class, instructor Brent Alan brings a sense of fun and enlightening tips for students.

"I'm absolutely tickled pink every time my class meets!" he said.

Ranging in experience level from beginners, to intermediate players, the students were given an assignment to write their own song and bring it to class. Last Thursday, three brave souls sat in front of an audience of their fellow classmates and released some of their inner songwriter. A round of applause followed each song, bolstering confidence and creating a safe path for future efforts.

"The students are eager to take their skills to another level. It is a great joy to be surrounded by such enthusiastic creativity. We are tackling many aspects of musical development including songwriting, open tunings, chord and music theory, flatpicking, finger-picking, rhythm, groove, scales, and simple tricks and licks. My greatest wish is to inspire others to experience the joy of continual musical evolution," said Alan after class.

The nine-week course is based mainly on the curriculum taught in Americana Project classes and is a collaboration between Sisters Folk Festival and SPRD. Along with learning basic guitar skills, songwriting and composition, the class will also cover a history lesson geared toward roots and Americana music.

There's already talk of forming a group of aspiring musicians who want to play together and work on new songs and techniques. There's a similar cohesive effect that takes place in the Americana Project classes in the Sisters schools; playing music together develops bonds that stretch well beyond the last day of class.

Americana Project co-founder Brad Tisdel is thrilled with how well the class is going.

"It's really exciting to offer the Americana Project programming to adults. To have Brent Alan teaching is a great opportunity for the participants to learn skills on guitar and experience the thrill of writing songs, and how that helps make folks feel empowered, seeing the world through the lens of a writer and musician ... and it's a lot of fun."

For more information about the Adult Americana Project classes and when the next class will start, contact the SPRD office at 541-549-2091.