Songwriting Workshop for K-5th Grades FAQ's

What is the title of the songwriting workshop you offer for K – 5th grade students?
We present a songwriting workshop called “Writing Your Very Own Song!”

How would you describe this workshop?
This workshop involves the entire class in the composing of a song. Though we hope to finish (and almost always do finish) a song by the end of the workshop, the focus is on the process of writing a song. The workshop includes guiding the students to write the lyrics to the chorus and three verses of a song. We will demonstrate musical styles which include folk, jazz, rock, rap, and opera and guide them to carefully choose a style which best suits the lyrics of the song.

How long is the workshop?
It depends on the age of the students with whom we are working. With K – 2nd grade students, the workshop works best in a 60 minute format. With 3rd – 5th grade students, the workshop works best in a 90 minute format.

Can you tailor the workshop to reflect a particular theme or a component of the curriculum?
Absolutely. For example, we recently worked with a first grade class in Bangor, Maine. The class was studying salmon. We presented a workshop during which the students composed a song about salmon, using information collected during class sessions held prior to our arrival.

Can you provide a song sheet and a demo recording of the completed song?
Yes! With the technology available to us in our home recording studio and the music writing software we have on our computers, we are able to provide a CD and songsheet for songs we write with students.

What is the optimal number of students for a songwriting workshop?
In order to make sure that all of the students have a “voice” in the songwriting process, the number of students optimally would be kept to 25 or less.

What do you need to conduct this workshop?
A classroom where the children can either sit at desks or gather in a small group,
An easel with a flip chart and markers,
A chalkboard.

How many workshops per day can you conduct?
As many as can be scheduled during the school day.

Can the workshop be held with parents and students?
Yes, but frankly, it works much better when parents are not present. We have found the kids are much less intimidated when they can work with their own peers.

How does your songwriting workshop promote literacy?
In an environment where children are encouraged to use the spoken, written and sung medium to communicate, songwriting is yet another tool that enables them to see the power of words, strongly supporting a print-rich classroom.

Can your songwriting workshop be held in conjunction with your school concerts?
Yes. In fact, any of the songs that are written in the student songwriting workshops can be performed during school concerts. What a grand way for students to see the fruits of their labor!