Courses and Retreats
Leadership Training in Community: Course Details
This course is for you if you want to:
experience music and the voice as a path to the Divine, connecting Heaven and Earth
learn to hold local song circles and singing groups
anchor song and dance as an ongoing practice in your circles and communities
experience music in a relaxed, safe and non-judgemental community setting
enjoy participation and spiritual deepening without wanting to become an actual song leader
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In this training you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself into beautiful spiritual songs and dances and practice the principles for successful song leadership in a supportive group. Barbara teaches the 'how, what and why' of leading songs and demonstrates by her own example how to lead participants into a heart-opening and healing learning experience that connects heaven and earth through music.
No prior experience needed. But if you play an instrument or have experience in leading groups these skills will be beneficial.
Course Content:
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A heartfelt immersion into songs and dances from different cultures, led by Barbara, just to have an experience of wellbeing, ease and healing for yourself.
You receive a rich repertoire of songs and rituals for seasonal festivals, birthdays, etc.
Comments from Barbara on what she is doing and why, giving a unique insight into the awareness of a song leader from her experience, passing on a lifetime of useful skills.
The opportunity to lead songs yourself with constructive feedback afterwards, in a safe environment (voluntary, by request).
Learn the background of songs and traditions
Acquire the 'tools' to successfully lead song circles (music map, playful introduction to rhythm, improvisation, voice warm-ups, ear training for starting tones, exercises for people who can't sing in tune, or people who think they can't sing, relaxation excercises.)
Get insights on how to create a healing, ritual space (external and internal preparation, how to shape the external space, how to get into stillness, which songs/dances are suitable for which occasions, how can instruments be used simply and effectively, how can music become prayer, healing and spiritual practice?)
Experience teaching styles to make learning effortless, stress-free and joyful (brain-friendly, playful, success guaranteed, 'GreenZone Learning', Barbara’s own MusicTrain method )
Group dynamic exercises that promote trust and loving interaction in the group.
Structuring of an event with ritual dances and songs,
Consideration of wishes the participants also bring with them
By the end of the course you will have…:
experienced a rich repertoire of songs and dances to take how and use with your friends
touched into your own heart space and built deep connections with other group members.
gained insights on how to hold a ceremonial healing space, externally and internally
experienced tools for building community, based on trust and loving interactions, in tune with the Findhorn principles.
grown in confidence and inspiration for being a successful song leader,
expanded your comfort zone and liberated your musical self.
connected and developed a relationship with your very own, individual voice.
learned teaching and learning becomes effortless, stress-free and joyful (‘green-zone-learning’).
learned to combine music and movement through dance.
learned which songs and dances can be simply accompanied with instruments.
opened up to be a channel for peace, connecting heaven and earth through music.
Barbara is teaching by example, immersing participants into a heart opening and healing workshop experience. Barbara will also be giving an ongoing running commentary of tips and skills needed to become a successful song leader. In this unique way she is passing on a lifetime of useful skills for connecting heaven and earth though music.
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Materials you will receive:
Findhorn Community Songbook Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 with over 350 songs in total, with chords and many dance descriptions.
5 Song CD’s and 1 Dance CD / available also as downloads.
CD and MP3 files with all songs + dance music from the course
Full Session Scripts form the modules as reminders.
Video footage with the dances, as memory aids.
Course structure:
Modules:
2x six day long in-person modules in the Sennrüti Ecovillage in Switzerland
Module 1 in Sennrüti: 14-19 May 2023
Module 2 in Sennrüti: 1-6 October 2023
Between the modules :
4x 90 minute long online sessions for mentoring and practice
Online Session 1 in June: Exact date and time tbc based on best availability of participants
Online Session 2 in July: Exact date and time tbc based on best availability of participants
Online Session 3 in August: Exact date and time tbc based on best availability of participants
Online Session 4 in September: Exact date and time tbc based on best availability of participants
Plus add-ons, which you can choose to add to your training experience and which you will receive at a reduced rate:
Learn how to use and teach with the Music Train Adventure enabling everyone to read music through games and creativity (90 min long introductory workshop with Barbara - Value 90 CHF)
Homecoming in Song and Stillness - a 5 day long celebration of summer and music in the renowned Findhorn Ecovillage with Barbara Swetina and special guest Joachim Goerke, pianist, singer, composer, songleader and spiritual mentor. (Websites: www.JoachimGoerke.com and www.sajema.de)
Date: 15-21 July 2024
More information to be shared soon!
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Course fees and payment plans:
The costs for the attendance of the course consist of 3 parts
- The Tuition fee
- Catering (fully organic - vegetarian/vegan)
- Accommodation in the Sennrüti Ecovillage in Switzerland (range from single room, shared room to dormitory in yurt)
Tuition Fee:
Tuition Fee for both 6 day in-person modules, all online calls and all materials:
CHF 1600.- ,
Early bird discount CHF 1280 until the 28th of February
Food Catering*:
CHF 180.- per person per module (organic home cooked meals, vegan or vegetarian)
Accommodation Options *:
Option 1:
Single room 225.- plus 9.- for bedlinen and towel - per module/6 days
Option 2:
Double room 180.- plus 9.- for bedlinen and towel - per module/6 days
Option 3:
Multi bed room 112.50 (own sleeping bag and towel) - per module/6 days
Option 4:
Yurt 75.- (own matt, sleeping bag and towel) - per module/6 days
*Can all be paid upfront or 2 weeks before each module.
Payment Plans available for tuition fee:
Option 1:
Full tuition fee paid upfront at registration
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Option 2:
Deposit of CHF 350.- at registration to secure your place
When registering before 1st of March, 3 payments of 310 CHF in each May, June and July.
When registering after 28th of February, 3 payments of 417 CHF in each May, June and July.
Option 3:
Deposit of CHF 350.- at registration to secure your place
When registering before 1st of March, 6 payments of 155 CHF in each May, June, July, August, September and October.
When registering after 28th of Feb, 6 payments of 208 CHF in each May, June and July
August, September and October.
Discounts & Scholarships available on tuition fees:
Early bird discount (when you register before the 28th of February): 20%
Youth discount (for participants under 25 years): 25%
Group discount: When you sign up as a group of 3, each of you gets 20% off
If more financial support would help make a difference please apply for a bursary at time of booking. Bursaries can be given once the minimum number of places have been filled. To apply for a scholarship, tell us more about yourself here.
We are also open to creative suggestions on how you can support the course in exchange for a reduced tuition fee, such as advertisement for the course and recruiting further participants.
Registration:
To register please fill out this registration form.
Once we receive your registration, we will be in touch with you asap to confirm your participation in the course and to set up the payment plan of your choice.
We accept payments for the course via bank transfer and we will be able to assist you with all required details once we receive your registration.
-----Testimonials:
“Barbara is an authentic and wonderful teacher. In a short time I got to know many beautiful songs from different cultures. Until then I was rather unmusical. Thanks to the training with Barbara, I can now perceive, use and enjoy my voice better. Sacred Songs and Dances contain old wisdom teachings that are repeated over and over while singing and dancing. Through this I experience comfort, healing and feel connected to humanity in a loving way. Even in everyday life I feel the power and the healing effect of the songs. This training with Barbara has enriched my life immensely.”
Josephine S., course participant 2019
“It is genuinely no exaggeration to say that, if it was not for you, my life would be very different. You were the 'midwife' for my transfer from 'non-musician /apprentice/ audience member' to discovering that I could be a part of the music. And then beyond that, you became the 'health-visitor' supporting me as I took my early steps in sharing that experience with others, gently encouraging me to let go of the CD and lead the parts myself from my heart. You provided me with my 'template' of singing as a source of deep connection with Spirit, with each other, with intimacy in community. So you are also 'responsible' for all those who have come to the experience of singing through the groups and sessions that I have led. Thank you, you are a wonderful gift, connecting us to music, to spirit and to each other.” David Harrison, (current voice teacher and song leader in Findhorn)
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See here (@heather here link to gallery!) pictures from previous trainings.
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About Barbara:
Barbara Swetina is a professional musician and music success coach, dedicated to building a unified heart field with music and voice. She graduated from the Mozarteum Salzburg in Recorder (concert level) and Piano and has a degree from the Orff Institute for Elementary Music Education. Starting in her teenage years she has been on a spiritual quest and was most influenced by Rudolph Steiner, the Findhorn Community, the Sufi message, the Aloha Spirit and Nonduality.
Barbara plays and teaches 7 different instruments.
For over 30 years she has been building a culture of peace through daily spiritual singing sessions as a musical director in the Findhorn Eco-Village in Scotland. Barbara published CDs and songbooks and is the creator of the MusicTrain Method, a game for learning to read music through play. Her love of music is contagious and can transform a group of strangers into a polyphonic choir with minutes. Barbara writes and arranges music and teaches internationally since 1987. By empowering people to develop their musical potential she wants to contribute to ‘the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible’.
Any questions?
For any logistical questions or any support with booking, please get in touch with our booking angel Tanya at songtraining@sennrueti.ch
If you have any questions for Barbara, please contact her at barbara@barbaraswetina.com