How it works:
The students form a songwriting team/band. As a band they have things that need to be created:
- name for the band
- topic to write about
- title for the song
- style and composition of music (we compose on real instruments and/or music software)
- lyrics/song structure
- hands on video shooting
There are simple workshops explaining the various aspects of music:
- singing (pitch, pronunciation, breath control)
- rhythm (tempo, percussion)
- lyric writing
- song structures
- melody
- the recording process
- the video production process
Once the song is written and rehearsed we take a trip to a local recording studio. If there isn't one, we use our mobile studio. This is a really fun part of the program as it introduces a level of creating which is quite new to them. When the headsets go on and the microphone gets turned up, the 'fun meter' goes well into the red. We’ll start the video process here and add more video shoots after the song has been recorded. Some of the benefits for the students:
- Teamwork/decision making in a group environment
- Songwriting as a fun, experiential way to improve English skills
- Increased self-confidence from accomplishment and performance
- Experiencing creative processes (waking up the ‘right’ brain)
- Self-expression
- Joy
Though the program has been running as a group program there is no reason it wouldn't work in a one on one scenario. This program is adaptable.
Why