Circle of Music
Sunday, August 10 - Sunday, August 16, 2025
Sunday, August 10 - Sunday, August 16, 2025
Description
Workshops
Conference Leadership
Pricing
Description
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Come join us for a magical week where we build a music community. You will be welcomed, accepted, encouraged, and challenged to grow whether you start as a beginner or are polishing skills. From the generosity of the workshop leaders to the support of the other participants who are taking risks along side you, join the opportunities to improve your musical abilities and decide how you will take your music back to the world.
Each day begins with chapel, followed by workshops, and optional afternoon activities of classes, singing, teaching, creating, playing and learning. Your days at Ferry Beach can include the beach, naps, walks or all of the above. The evenings have more opportunities to create music in song circles, coffee house, talent/no talent shows and anywhere else the spirit hits you including porch sings and jams. AND we encourage all of you to bring songs you know and can teach or lead – our best resource and inspiration are each other! Let the ocean waves create new rhythms, the cry of the seagulls – new melodies and the spirit of the week – new lyrics. |
Get ready for Circle of Music 2025! Keep an eye on this page as we work to finalize plans for the first part of the week and develop our schedule. Nancy Smith Circle of Music Scholarship
The Nancy Smith Circle of Music Scholarship fund has been established in memory of the late Nancy Smith, long-term Circle of Music Attendee. Nancy nurtured her spirituality and celebrated her love of music through Unitarian Universalist church choirs and the Ferry Beach Retreat and Conference Center Circle of Music Program. Through the scholarship started by her loving son Scott Smith and sister Lucinda Sanders, the memory of Nancy will live on in one of her most cherished places. To apply for the scholarship, please fill out the form below. Each year a scholarship recipient will be selected two months prior to the start of the Circle of Music Conference. |
Workshops
2025 Workshops & Activities Coming Soon...
2024 Workshops & Activities (No Need to Preregister for Workshops)
Basic Ear Training for Singers
Debra will introduce the concepts of intonation and some very basic music theory, specifically chord structures to assist participants in gaining a knowledge of pitch and intonation. This workshop will set up a foundation for Aubrey and Elwood’s harmony singing workshop later in the week.
Vocal Health and Care
Keeping the voice and vocal folds healthy is the most important aspect of singing and will preserve and train your voice for a lifetime of singing! Debra will introduce techniques and exercises that can be done every day to maintain good vocal health and ensure that the voice will not be injured whilst singing.
Ballads and Broadsides
Traditional and contemporary story-songs are some of the most important components of fold song genre. As a researcher into much of this material for decades, Debra will introduce the how, what, why and when of ballads and broadsides.
Participatory Singing
The joy of singing can always be experienced when an entire group joins their voices in song. This session will focus on songs with choruses and refrains and Debra will demonstrate various methods for teaching choruses within songs so that folks can join in.
Let’s Sing!
In this session with Debra, anything goes where participants can share any song they like, no matter what it may be.
Harmony Singing by Ear
Aubrey and Elwood will introduce a variety of lovingly curated folk songs that lend well to group singing call-response, and harmony. Joyous, self-taught singers who sing by ear, Aubrey and Elwood offer intuitive techniques for breathing, pitch control, rhythm, lead singing and identifying intervals for harmony, sharing what they have gleaned through decades of social singing, performance and experimentation. Lyrics with and without written music will be provided. Come join the chorus!
Percussion for Fun and Enhancement
Using bones, bodhran, limberjacks, spoons and feet, Elwood leads this popular workshop where rhythms rule. Participants will learn to incorporate percussion into their solo or band performances and/or just experiment for fun. Some instruments will be provided and we encourage you to bring your own. Aubrey will supply the live music and foot percussion.
Therapeutic Music for All Ages
Aubrey, a longtime member of a hospital Healing Arts team, will present songs, tunes, and tricks that promote powerful responses of comfort and healing. With 40+ years of experience playing for medical and congregate living settings, bedsides, churches, support groups, and more, Aubrey and Elwood will address this delicate practice and the magical role music has in the presence of suffering and transition. All instruments and voices are welcome.
Dancing and Playing
Aubrey and Elwood will teach simple freestyle flatfooting steps as well as a few play-party, square, contra, and circle dances depending on what the group would like to do and the size. Smooth-soled shoes with a good “slide” are recommended for dancers and for those who would like to play some well-known folk tunes. Come join the pick-up band! All levels and abilities welcome.
Singing and Playing Folk Songs
Sit “knee to knee” with Aubrey and Elwood for a singing, playing, historical and cultural adventure! Folk songs leave no stones unturned when it comes to portraying the human experience. Aubrey and Elwood will draw from their extensive repertoire of traditional American, Appalachian and Anglo-Celtic folk songs with themes of work, the sea, humor, love, childhood, play, dance, ballads, nature, protest, and more. Session will involve group singing and playing instrument(s) of your choice and include listening, discussing and sharing.
When World Events Threaten to Overwhelm us, Tonglen May Help
(hint: we start by connecting with infinite love)
Join us in this one hour workshop where Jane will teach the basic concepts of Tonglen, a practice of “sending and receiving” from Tibetan Buddhism. We will explore our personal openings to infinite love and then practice some first steps to strengthen this “muscle” we all have to transform suffering into compassion. We may visualize our hearts opening to the endless supply of the bright light of compassion and love. Together we will send this loving compassion out into the world. We will then practice breathing in some small suffering and letting it be transformed in our open hearts. Connect with others while we explore together.
Jane has been overwhelmed like so many of us, by the growing violence everywhere in the world. She learned about Tonglen several years ago in a Buddhist Sangha and is beginning to practice this more. She loves sharing this with others who seek tools to be able to remain open-hearted, smiling and loving, when there is so much pain and is starting a weekly Practice Group on Zoom.
This workshop welcomes all. Join us and explore something new (so good for our brains) or practice something you already know.
When: Tuesday at 4:30 and Thursday at 4:30
Where: Location likely in Rowland (small room)
Similar information in each workshop. Feel free to attend one or both
Jane Prairie is a retired Social Worker, plays a little guitar and Ukulele and she likes to sing for fun. She practices Reiki, teaches mindfulness skills and has been learning about Buddhism. This is Jane’s second year attending Circle of Music at Ferry Beach. Last year she led the daily morning meditation and is doing that again this year.
Hammered Dulcimer!! Making Sense of the Hammered Dulcimer At this Monday evening workshop, Keith Prairie, experienced player and Circle of Music Participant, will demystify the hammered dulcimer. Keith will demonstrate various tunes and patterns and encourage participants to try the basics of how to start playing. An assortment of hammered dulcimers will be available for participants to try. Feel free to bring your own!
Afternoon workshops for a deeper dive on the hammered dulcimer offered by Keith:
* For beginners, we will start with how to hold the hammers, playing
scales, where to find the notes, and playing a few simple tunes.
* For more advanced players, we will find time to guide you through
some exercises and new tunes or hone and advance your playing.
Evening Concerts
Sunday Night Concert
Starting the week off with a concert, Debra Cowan will bring us the traditions of beautiful folk music, performing a cappella with guitar in the great tradition of folk singers like Joan Baez and Judy Collins. Listen to and learn more about Debra at debracowan.com
Friday Night Concert
The award-winning duo of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, whose artistry includes a unique and thrilling blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance, along with original songs and poetry will end the week with a concert on Friday night. Listen to their gorgeous artistry singing and playing of guitar, banjo, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, harmonica, tin whistle and more on their website at atwater-donnelly.com and on YouTube.
Evenings at Circle of Music
Coffee House and Talent/No Talent
We’ll have great fun, as always, at our Tuesday night Coffee House and our Thursday Talent/No Talent show. All at Ferry Beach are welcome to participate – and they do!
Porch Sings
Enjoy porch sings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings right after dinner and before any evening programs. The Ferry Beach Songbook is available on the website so bring your cell phones and follow along. Bring your own songs and songbooks – and be prepared to lead with help!
Bonfire
Hopefully Wednesday night weather will allow us to have our traditional bonfire. Bring all those camp songs to sing and share! We’ll have S’mores makings!
Note: Additional offerings for afternoons and evenings are still being considered and are in the stages of development. A full schedule grid will be posted as soon as all offerings and time slots are finalized.
Basic Ear Training for Singers
Debra will introduce the concepts of intonation and some very basic music theory, specifically chord structures to assist participants in gaining a knowledge of pitch and intonation. This workshop will set up a foundation for Aubrey and Elwood’s harmony singing workshop later in the week.
Vocal Health and Care
Keeping the voice and vocal folds healthy is the most important aspect of singing and will preserve and train your voice for a lifetime of singing! Debra will introduce techniques and exercises that can be done every day to maintain good vocal health and ensure that the voice will not be injured whilst singing.
Ballads and Broadsides
Traditional and contemporary story-songs are some of the most important components of fold song genre. As a researcher into much of this material for decades, Debra will introduce the how, what, why and when of ballads and broadsides.
Participatory Singing
The joy of singing can always be experienced when an entire group joins their voices in song. This session will focus on songs with choruses and refrains and Debra will demonstrate various methods for teaching choruses within songs so that folks can join in.
Let’s Sing!
In this session with Debra, anything goes where participants can share any song they like, no matter what it may be.
Harmony Singing by Ear
Aubrey and Elwood will introduce a variety of lovingly curated folk songs that lend well to group singing call-response, and harmony. Joyous, self-taught singers who sing by ear, Aubrey and Elwood offer intuitive techniques for breathing, pitch control, rhythm, lead singing and identifying intervals for harmony, sharing what they have gleaned through decades of social singing, performance and experimentation. Lyrics with and without written music will be provided. Come join the chorus!
Percussion for Fun and Enhancement
Using bones, bodhran, limberjacks, spoons and feet, Elwood leads this popular workshop where rhythms rule. Participants will learn to incorporate percussion into their solo or band performances and/or just experiment for fun. Some instruments will be provided and we encourage you to bring your own. Aubrey will supply the live music and foot percussion.
Therapeutic Music for All Ages
Aubrey, a longtime member of a hospital Healing Arts team, will present songs, tunes, and tricks that promote powerful responses of comfort and healing. With 40+ years of experience playing for medical and congregate living settings, bedsides, churches, support groups, and more, Aubrey and Elwood will address this delicate practice and the magical role music has in the presence of suffering and transition. All instruments and voices are welcome.
Dancing and Playing
Aubrey and Elwood will teach simple freestyle flatfooting steps as well as a few play-party, square, contra, and circle dances depending on what the group would like to do and the size. Smooth-soled shoes with a good “slide” are recommended for dancers and for those who would like to play some well-known folk tunes. Come join the pick-up band! All levels and abilities welcome.
Singing and Playing Folk Songs
Sit “knee to knee” with Aubrey and Elwood for a singing, playing, historical and cultural adventure! Folk songs leave no stones unturned when it comes to portraying the human experience. Aubrey and Elwood will draw from their extensive repertoire of traditional American, Appalachian and Anglo-Celtic folk songs with themes of work, the sea, humor, love, childhood, play, dance, ballads, nature, protest, and more. Session will involve group singing and playing instrument(s) of your choice and include listening, discussing and sharing.
When World Events Threaten to Overwhelm us, Tonglen May Help
(hint: we start by connecting with infinite love)
Join us in this one hour workshop where Jane will teach the basic concepts of Tonglen, a practice of “sending and receiving” from Tibetan Buddhism. We will explore our personal openings to infinite love and then practice some first steps to strengthen this “muscle” we all have to transform suffering into compassion. We may visualize our hearts opening to the endless supply of the bright light of compassion and love. Together we will send this loving compassion out into the world. We will then practice breathing in some small suffering and letting it be transformed in our open hearts. Connect with others while we explore together.
Jane has been overwhelmed like so many of us, by the growing violence everywhere in the world. She learned about Tonglen several years ago in a Buddhist Sangha and is beginning to practice this more. She loves sharing this with others who seek tools to be able to remain open-hearted, smiling and loving, when there is so much pain and is starting a weekly Practice Group on Zoom.
This workshop welcomes all. Join us and explore something new (so good for our brains) or practice something you already know.
When: Tuesday at 4:30 and Thursday at 4:30
Where: Location likely in Rowland (small room)
Similar information in each workshop. Feel free to attend one or both
Jane Prairie is a retired Social Worker, plays a little guitar and Ukulele and she likes to sing for fun. She practices Reiki, teaches mindfulness skills and has been learning about Buddhism. This is Jane’s second year attending Circle of Music at Ferry Beach. Last year she led the daily morning meditation and is doing that again this year.
Hammered Dulcimer!! Making Sense of the Hammered Dulcimer At this Monday evening workshop, Keith Prairie, experienced player and Circle of Music Participant, will demystify the hammered dulcimer. Keith will demonstrate various tunes and patterns and encourage participants to try the basics of how to start playing. An assortment of hammered dulcimers will be available for participants to try. Feel free to bring your own!
Afternoon workshops for a deeper dive on the hammered dulcimer offered by Keith:
* For beginners, we will start with how to hold the hammers, playing
scales, where to find the notes, and playing a few simple tunes.
* For more advanced players, we will find time to guide you through
some exercises and new tunes or hone and advance your playing.
Evening Concerts
Sunday Night Concert
Starting the week off with a concert, Debra Cowan will bring us the traditions of beautiful folk music, performing a cappella with guitar in the great tradition of folk singers like Joan Baez and Judy Collins. Listen to and learn more about Debra at debracowan.com
Friday Night Concert
The award-winning duo of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, whose artistry includes a unique and thrilling blend of traditional American and Celtic folk music and dance, along with original songs and poetry will end the week with a concert on Friday night. Listen to their gorgeous artistry singing and playing of guitar, banjo, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, harmonica, tin whistle and more on their website at atwater-donnelly.com and on YouTube.
Evenings at Circle of Music
Coffee House and Talent/No Talent
We’ll have great fun, as always, at our Tuesday night Coffee House and our Thursday Talent/No Talent show. All at Ferry Beach are welcome to participate – and they do!
Porch Sings
Enjoy porch sings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings right after dinner and before any evening programs. The Ferry Beach Songbook is available on the website so bring your cell phones and follow along. Bring your own songs and songbooks – and be prepared to lead with help!
Bonfire
Hopefully Wednesday night weather will allow us to have our traditional bonfire. Bring all those camp songs to sing and share! We’ll have S’mores makings!
Note: Additional offerings for afternoons and evenings are still being considered and are in the stages of development. A full schedule grid will be posted as soon as all offerings and time slots are finalized.
Conference Leadership
Please call Ferry Beach at 207-282-4489 x1, or email [email protected] with questions for the conference coordinator.
Pricing
Conference Package (Pricing per Person) |
Adult: $546 (Includes Conference Fees + Meals) |
Lodging |
Lodging Prices Vary Base on Selection. See our Lodging Page for pricing information. |
Membership |
Membership must be paid to attend any Ferry Beach program and is due annually. Individual Membership: $40 Family Membership: $65 See our Membership Page to learn more and to purchase or renew a membership. You can also renew your membership on your reservation. |
Register |
To register online click here, or call the office at 207-282-4489. You can also email [email protected]. |
Our mission at Ferry Beach is to awaken hearts to explore, grow and renew the spirit of universal love.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
We work by creating programing and events in the areas of Arts & Culture, Education, Spirituality, Sustainability, Personal Growth and Justice & Action.
