Retreat for the Soul 2010 in France

Dear Friends,

Some of you know that I teach at Saint Francis University and this coming year I will be directing a program unlike anything I’ve ever offered entitled “Retreat for the Soul : France 2010” at the university’s 11th century monastery located in the Tarn Valley in Southwestern France.

After visiting the monastery this past January, I immediately began thinking about what a great place it would be to present to you my all new multi-day workshop called Life-Design where you will have the opportunity every morning to immerse yourself in a powerfully effective process created to help you optimize every aspect of your life. Read more about it here…

























You will also have the opportunity to participate in classes alongside our students from the university. Learn regional French cooking, drawing and art history, and of course… drumming!

There will be plenty of free time for you to explore the local area, as well as guided excursions throughout the French countryside. You will have the opportunity to visit ancient castles, incredible cathedrals in the nearby city of Albi, art museums, local shopping and restaurants.


You can meditate daily in the peaceful solitude of an ancient chapel (built in 1057), or at the edge of the mountain overlooking the majestic Tarn River Valley.

You can opt for an invigorating hike down the hillside past Crusade-era olive trees to the quaint village of Ambialet located at the base of the mountain below the monastery.

Though the monastery is ancient, the university recently renovated the site so that you can enjoy living in history with modern conveniences.

On-site meals will be provided during your stay and will be prepared by a local French chef. The food is exceptional and will always consist of both vegetarian and meat options. You will also be welcome to use the kitchen should you want to enjoy a quick bite.

There will be a total of 30 participants on site, 10 of these spots which I am able to make available to you.

If you would like to reserve one of the spots, just call 814.472.3012 to put down your deposit. The retreat is first come first serve to the first 10 people to respond.

I am looking forward to an outstanding time with you all!

Jim

Retreat for the Soul Website...

Some Very Good News..

Dear Friends,
Some of you will remember that last year I asked all of you for your help giving a financial hand to my good friend Tom Morrow as he battled throat cancer. I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with him last night and his doctors have informed him that he is cancer free! He's even been doing a few gigs singing (though he joked about being able to do Tom Waits cover songs now since his voice is a little more gruff...).
In any case he asked me to pass along his heartfelt thanks to all of you for all of your support, good wishes and energy.

Enjoy your day, Jim

Intention and Creating Your Desired Condition

Photo by Kaylyn Oshaben

Intention and Creating Your Desired Condition

by Jim Donovan

The power of intention is an important ally in learning to direct your energy. Intention means consciously deciding to bring about a specific circumstance. For example, you can hold an intention of creating a peaceful environment around you. In the process of creating this environment, you first have the thought, then as you hold the thought, you take action. Thought without action only moves energy in small ways. Thought coupled with action, emotion and desire allows you to manifest. The thought of the desired circumstance followed by action, is intention- which ultimately progresses towards manifestation.

As important as it is to understand your core beliefs, it's equally important to understand your intentions behind why you choose to act in a particular way. It's kind of like seeing the flower but also knowing where the root is and what causes it to grow.

Jim Donovan Fall 2009 Workshop/Concert Schedule....

Photo by Sean McLeod

Jim Donovan Fall 2009 Workshop/Concert Schedule....

Dear Friends,
One of the many things I love about teaching is that it keeps me on my toes. Visiting your town each year challenges me to learn and develop new material so that we both keep progressing.
I want to thank those of you who always show up. Knowing you'll be there looking for something new to learn is great motivation for me!

With that in mind, I want to let you in on a few details about all of the exciting drumming we'll be doing over the next few months. I've begun offering a full day program in several cities called the Day of Drumming where you'll have the opportunity to experience both the Rhythm Renewal and Yoga of Drum and Chant workshops. Both workshops have been revamped with much new material, exercises, concepts and songs. In Wellsville, NY and Syracuse, NY, my band Drum the Ecstatic will doing evening concerts to top off our day.

Have a look at the schedule below and join us for some great times!
I look forward to drumming with you soon.

Peace, Jim


Fall 2009 Schedule
10.2.09 West Chester, PA : Yoga of Drum and Chant
10.3.09 Skillman, NJ : The Princeton Day of Drumming
10.10.09 Saxonburg, PA : The Saxonburg Day of Drumming
10.15-10.18.09 Pittsburgh, PA : DrumTalk / World Rhythm Festival
10.24.09 Syracuse, NY : The Syracuse Day of Drumming
11.6.09 Baltimore, MD : The Yoga of Drum and Chant details coming soon
11.7.09 Lewes, DE : The Rehoboth Day of Drumming
11.14.09 Wellsville, NY : The Wellsville Day of Drumming
11.20.09 Camp Hill, PA : Yoga of Drum and Chant
11.21.09 Coopersburg, PA : the Coopersburg Day of Drumming
12.4.09 Pittsburgh, PA : Drum the Ecstatic in concert
12.5.09 Johnstown, PA : The Rhythm Renewal Workshop
12.11.09 York, PA : Yoga of Drum and Chant
12.12.09 Binghamton, NY : The Binghamton Day of Drumming

12.31.09 Manassas, VA
New Years Eve bash with Drum the Ecstatic International
Details coming soon....

WInners of the Rhythmic Ear-Training CD Giveaway 9.21.09

Let me just say that you are all winners in my book...

However, the following people are even BIGGER winners :)
Congratulations!

Teresa Cole
Christiana P
Doris L.

Just email me at " info AT jimdonovanmusic.com" (remember to use the @ symbol for the "at")
to give me your mailing address and I'll get your discs in the mail this week.

Stay tuned for future giveaways...this was fun.

One Step...

Taking One Small Step
by Jim Donovan

I have this crazy idea about failure...

Failure simply teaches you how NOT to do something.

When you look at it closely, it is truly nothing more than this. Failure is simply a great teacher.
Learning to overcome this fear and live in your true purpose is sure-fire way to positively transform your entire life.

But what can you do right now to overcome the fear of failing?

Here is another exercise I give to my students...maybe it will be helpful for you too..

Start here:
I'd like you to identify one thing that you know you want in your life very much.
Something that the fear of failing is holding you back from doing or having.

1. Write out what the fear is.
2. Tell me about one small step that you could do that would move you closer to what you want.
3. Take this small step.
4. Write about your experience.


Enter this in comment below if you'd like...
Feel free to comment on each others comments.
We're all here together.

CD Giveaway! Enter to win a copy of my new "Rhythmic Ear Training" audio tool

The Rhythmic Ear Training CD
is an interactive play-along audio learning tool that is designed to give you hours of drumming enjoyment while developing a solid sense of rhythm by helping you to improve your listening and musical reaction skills.These skills are some of the most important building blocks in learning to drum with others and also to creating your own exciting rhythms. This unique audio learning tool is the perfect companion for any hand-drummer, drum set player, music teacher or classroom setting.

To win one of 3 copies of this CD, simply enter a comment (one entry per person please!) below saying "I want to win Jim!" by this Sunday, (September 20th) at midnight EST. If you are posting anonymously, I need you to enter your first name and last initial. Winners will be drawn at random, and the results will be posted here next week.

Best of luck!