Songwriting Masterclass with Lewis Lazar

JOIN LEWIS LAZAR AT CHATEAU DE SACY

HOW TO BOOK

The week-long, all-included retreat costs £899 per person for your own room in the château. Spaces are limited to six participants and we are inviting applications before booking, so please complete the form linked below if you'd like to join us. Applicants must be able to play an instrument or sing. Successful applicants will then receive a booking form and rooms will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so apply as soon as possible! You can find out more about the chateau here.

APPLY HERE

CRAFTING MELODY AND LYRICS

Join us for an intimate and inspiring journey into the craft of songwriting with the gifted multi-instrumentalist, composer and Oracles Sisters founder Lewis Lazar. Over a series of morning workshops and afternoon 1-2-1s, Lewis will guide a small group of participants through the fundamental and often elusive elements that shape his songwriting practice. We’ll approach songwriting not just as a practice, but as a revelatory tool for self-reflection.

Workshops will cover composition tricks, techniques and style, as well as structure, melody and lyrics. Working in a peaceful and beautiful new context, with companionship, support and the accountability that deadlines and community provide, we are certain that you’ll complete 1-3 songs within the week. There’ll be time to record a demo and share your songs on the last evening, which coincides with France’s long-established Fete de la Musique. Your own room, all meals, yoga classes and drink are included.

All bedrooms have a desk and there are other peaceful spaces to work in – the salon, the barn, the gardens, the studio.

YOGA

The magnificent old barn makes a perfect space for pre-breakfast optional yoga classes, run for all levels by Sacy regular Megane Thiboust. These will limber you up, clear your mind and prepare you for the focus of the day ahead. 

FOOD & DRINK

• Meals are Ottolenghi-inspired, largely vegetarian, nutritious, locally or garden sourced where possible and much enjoyed by our guests. We're happy to cater for various diets.

  
  

• Each participant will pair up with another to prepare one dinner, with ingredients and recipe supplied and help at hand.

  
  

• Coffee, tea, fruit and pastries will be available throughout the day in a separate communal kitchen. 

  
  

• Wine will be served with dinner

OPTIONAL OUTINGS

Thursday There are fascinating places nearby, and it's good to have a break midway through the week, so on Thursday, we can go out for just lunch, part of the day, or you can jump on a train to Paris.

Saturday To a wonderful local arts centre in Verderonne, as well as a medieval convent where the Poor Clares once lived and worked, and a swimming lake.

FREE TIME

• Walk through the nearby woods to the Chapelle Saint Catherine, a spot visited by Joan of Arc

• Swim in a large, gorgeous lake surrounded by wildlife

• Ride a bike to the local bar

• Learn to walk our tightrope, or swing from the trapeze

• Play table tennis or French billiards

• Soak up the atmosphere at the château

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Six nights in your own room or furnished bell tent at the château (sheets, towels and toiletries provided)

• Five songwriting workshops

• Two 1-2-1 sessions with Lewis

• Four yoga classes, with equipment provided

• Lifts to and from the station

• Welcome cocktail

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at the château

• Wine (within reason) at dinner

• Coffee, tea, juice, snacks at all times

• Use of the communal kitchen

• Run of (most of) the house, gardens and outdoor buildings

• Use of our boneshakers, ie bicycles

• Wifi

• Parking space

• Outings to local lake and places of interest

• Travel advice

  WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Travel costs

• Airport transfers

• Travel Insurance

• Visa fee if required

• Meals/drinks away from the house

• Entry tickets on excursions

A special guest may join us for dinner

Find out more about Lewis Lazar and the schedule here. Rooms will be on a first come first served basis, but you can see them here.

APPLY HERE