Intro to Vocal Harmony
- Acoustic
- Contemporary
- Folk
- In-Person Classes
- Singer/Songwriter
THIS IS AN IN-PERSON CLASS
Do you find yourself humming along to songs on the radio? Are you always thinking about what harmony line would sit just right in the tune you love? Do you feel drawn to artists like the Kossoy Sisters, The Avett Brothers, and Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, but don’t know how to start writing those tight harmonies yourself? Then Intro to Vocal Harmony with Sweet Petunia is the class for you!
Over the course of 5 weeks, we will dig into what makes a good harmony line—how to find it, write it, and sing it. Starting by listening to existing harmonies found in old-time tunes and the songs of artists like MJ Lenderman & Waxahatchee, and Simon & Garfunkel, we’ll help you build a strong foundation using the knowledge we’ve gained from nearly seven years of singing together.
This class is perfect for those who are new to vocal harmony or anyone looking to brush up on the basics. All are welcome, but a strong ability to hold a vocal melody is a plus. By the end of the course, you’ll have practiced singing in two- to four-part harmony, learned to define harmonies in existing songs, and written your very own harmony lines to a song you love—for the whole class to sing!
Listen to Sweet Petunia in action:
Class ScheduleWednesdays: May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4Time: 6:30–7:45pm ET
Location: Passim School of Music, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA(Classrooms are located on the third floor; unfortunately, there is no elevator.)
Ages: 18+
Please Note:Pre-sales are highly encouraged! Online sales end 2 hours before the class begins. A minimum of 6 students is required for the class to run. If canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified and receive a full refund.
Sweet Petunia
- Alt Folk
As a child, Mairead Guy (they/them) was surrounded by Celtic and old time musicians, learning decades-old songs and spending Thursday afternoons watching their parents play music in Richmond’s local Irish pub. At a similar time, though hundreds of miles away, Maddy Simpson (she/her) was falling asleep to The Essential Simon & Garfunkel in her mom’s car, internalizing the duo’s close harmony vocals and dreaming of making music of her own.The two met in Boston during college, when they quickly discovered their voices fit together in a way almost familial. After a few hours of sharing songs and old stories, Sweet Petunia was born. The name was a no brainer, taken from a nickname that Mairead’s great grandfather called all his grandchildren, and in no time at all Simpson and Guy were playing anywhere they could – opening for hardcore bands in Allston basements, taking to the stage of festivals such as FreshGrass (2019) and In Between Days (2023), and most recently touring as much as possible in Mairead’s Honda CRV.
The duo have grown into their own as both powerful songwriters and harmonizers as well as lightning quick players, beginning every set with explosive double banjo action. Unapologetically queer and unafraid to get loud and angry, they craft music that is informed just as much by their contemporaries in Boston’s punk & DIY scene as it is steeped in rich folk tradition.
