PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

Please join songwriter Dar Williams and a team of songwriters and special guest songwriters (TBA), to guide and support your songwriting craft in various workshops and song circles.

Dar will offer daily song inspiration, a daily peek into the songwriting process, vocal coaching, songwriting workshops, your own private song consultation with Dar, evening song sharing with the whole group, collaborative songwriting opportunities (the now infamous “So-Fab Collab”) and coffee, tea and creativity flowing 24/7.

Only you know what sort of retreat experience will benefit your songwriting. As a result, we have designed this retreat so you can structure your days as you see fit, making space for solo writing and reflecting time and a daily workshop or two, or hitting all the workshops you can in a day for feedback on a batch of semi-finished songs. We have lots of offerings, but no advance signups are necessary, so you can let the muse be your guide daily. And with regards to your musical level, we will meet you where you are at.

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

• The desire to write a song
• Some musical or songwriting background is helpful, but not required. (Team members and retreaters have collaborated with lyricists before.)
• A kind and open heart – we do our best to communicate with empathetic, supportive feedback

Both novice and gigging songwriters sit side by side in our workshops, united by the desire to keep honing their craft and connecting with others. We’ve had poets connect with musicians struggling for words, individuals who have one song under their belts and are inspired to keep going, prolific songwriters who need to get out of their bubble, and songwriters delving into songwriting again after decades. Wherever you find yourself is perfect and we will meet you wherever you’re at.

SAMPLE DAY

 

8 – 9 AM Yoga – all levels (optional)
8:45 – 9:45 AM Breakfast
10 – 10:45 AM Dar’s song breakdown & daily themes
11 AM – 12:30 PM Workshops with (vocals/songwriting/collaboration
1-2 PM Lunch
2:30 – 4 PM Workshops (vocals/songwriting/collaboration
4:30 – 6 PM Workshops (vocals/songwriting/collaboration
6 – 7 PM Dinner
8 – 10 PM Evening song circle (Retreaters can share a song with the entire group)
10 – 10:30 PM Wine and Seltzer, Savories, Sweets
11 PM + After hours song circle

 

We look forward to welcoming back many of our songwriting friends and making new ones in 2026 – we hope you can join us.

Have lingering questions? Please reach out to darwilliamsretreat@gmail.com

 

 
 

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PLEASE REGISTER AT DARWILLIAMSRETREAT.COM (follow this link)

 
 

ACCOMMODATIONS

There are Single, and Double rooms available. Please note, there is no available guest elevator and all rooms are accessible by stairs—except for those reserved for the mobility-impaired on the first floor. There are two communal bathrooms on each residential floor as well as a comfortable lounge with sofas and easy chairs, where tea and instant coffee are available. The lounges also are equipped with wireless, high-speed internet connection. There are several local hotels within driving distance from the Institute, for those who wish to stay off-site, as commuters. Onsite meals are included with commuter registrations.

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COVID-19

The health and safety of our guests and staff is a top priority for the Garrison Institute. To attend a retreat or event all guests, teachers, and staff are strongly encouraged to self-test (at home antigen test is acceptable) within the 48-hour window prior to arriving for a retreat on site, and to bring a 2nd self-test kit when coming on site. We encourage everyone to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and other illnesses before your visit. If you experience symptoms or have a positive diagnosis, please notify us immediately at events@garrisoninstitute.org We will continue to follow any COVID-19 guidelines set forth by our local officials, New York State and the CDC.