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Writing lyrics

Masterclass Week

Writing lyrics with Thomas Acda

Dutch and English

Maestro Thomas Acda

Status It was an incredible week!

Thomas Acda takes the participants for a week into the magical world of lyric poetry. As he himself says: a week in which I will give away all my secrets. The mistakes and the golden ones. The ones I’ve experienced myself and the ones I’ve taken from others. By the end of this week, you’ll at least be able to write a song the way I do, but we’re aiming higher and going for you to write a song the way you do.

Practical: In each guest room a piano is at the disposal of the participants. Those who prefer to accompany themselves on guitar can of course bring their own instrument, but there are also a (limited) number of loan instruments available. By the way, playing an instrument is not necessary to participate in this Masterclass, the emphasis is on writing lyrics.

The first part of the week the emphasis is purely on the text. The different forms. The different content. How to bravely choose your own path until the moment when you are sure that no one will understand anymore. And if you regret it: how to go back and improve and clarify yourself if necessary.

The goal of a song is not “confessional poetry” but recognition. The audience should not like or dislike the protagonist, but think “darn, I have that too…” The importance of the muse also comes into play. Who are you writing it for? And why (hint: to win him/her over is an excellent motivator, according to Thomas Acda). If the song text is in the works then the aspect of metre comes into play. How is the text structured rhythmically? If you put a melody under a text, it will almost always change. In this part of the master class, Thomas will be assisted by his ‘charming musical assistant’ JB Meijers.
At the end of the week all participants will perform at least one self-written song text, with or without musical accompaniment.

What is included

Our Masterclass package looks as follows:

  • Arrival on Sunday from 3pm, departure Saturday 12pm.

  • Six nights stay in one of our luxurious private rooms (see our country house page).

  • Monday through Friday four group lessons per day, plus enough time for independent work and relaxation.

  • Maximum of 15 participants per week, lots of individual attention.

  • Welcome drink and light snack on day of arrival.

  • From Monday to Friday full board with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

  • Including all non-alcoholic beverages.

  • Sunset trip on catamaran, including barbecue and drinks on board.

  • Access to the beach at Delfins Beach Resort from Monday to Saturday.

  • Transfers to and from the airport

  • Assistance with possible booking of car rental, extended stay on the island or other activities with our partners.

  • Package price in dollars $ 3950

About Thomas Acda

Thomas Acda (1967) is a creative jack-of-all-trades. After graduating from the Toneel en Kleinkunstacademie, he played in the television series In voor en tegenspoed and was on the cabaret staff of Kopspijkers and on the panel of Dit Was Het Nieuws. He made his breakthrough with the general public as half of the duo Acda & de Munnik. After twenty very successful years, they continued separately in 2015. Thomas ia active as a novelist, scriptwriter, columnist, director, actor and composer. For his play in musical Fiddler on the Roof he received the Musica Award for Best Male Lead. His solo theater production Motel has been showered with stars. Acda knows how to make suffering literary,” one of the newspapers headlines. And that is one of the secrets he will gladly share with the participants of his Masterclass.

For more information on Thomas Acda see: www.thomasacda.nl

Interested?

Would you like to register for this Masterclass week or do you have additional questions? Please let us know using the form below. We will get back to you soon with more information.