Lowell Arts launches a new program with three local songwriters to host a weekend ending with a recorded public performance.
New music programming is coming to Lowell Arts with a focus on education and community. With help from West Michigan songwriters Josh Rose, Sammie Hershock, and Nicholas James Thomasma, a three-day Songwriter’s Workshop Weekend has been scheduled for October 23-25, 2026, held at Lowell’s listening room venue, Sound Check. The event is open to musicians of all skill levels who are looking for an environment where they can connect, collaborate, and converse with fellow songwriters.
“One thing I know for sure about songwriters is that when we gather with the intention of writing songs, songs get written,” says workshop host and musician, Nicholas James Thomasma. “I can't wait to hear the songs that are created throughout the course of this weekend, and as a longtime collaborator with Lowell Arts I know the dedicated community will come out to support the event.”
The weekend features three one-hour workshops from each instructor. Josh Rose will kick off the instruction on Friday evening with a session covering the “nuts and bolts” of writing a song: the basics of theory, chord progressions, and melody. When the songwriters reconvene Saturday morning, they’ll hear from Sammie Hershock about meaningful lyric writing and composition: text painting, rhyme structure, and word banks. Saturday evening will bring tutelage from Nicholas James Thomasma to prepare them for the performance on the following and final day of the workshop. Thomasma’s session will be interactive insight into the practical tools needed to own the stage, breaking down the essential elements of a memorable live performance.
Between sessions, the weekend will feature ample work time for all musicians to create and compose a song to perform on Sunday, October 25. Workshop participants can invite their friends and family to the recital-style performance, which will also be professionally taped and edited for the participants.
“I love to help and inspire budding artists,” said Josh Rose, workshop host and musician. “Workshops like this allow me to geek out about music and share in the love of songwriting.”
For those interested in “geeking out” with Josh, Sammie, and Nicholas on October 23-25, they can register for the Songwriter’s Workshop Weekend on the Lowell Arts website. Pre-registration with a workshop fee of $100 is required to participate. All ages are welcome, though individuals under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Sammie Hershock, workshop host and musician, perfectly summed up the intention of the new program. “Having spaces where we can create together is so important, and I am so excited to be able to create together at this songwriting weekend and enjoy each other's company while we do it.”
