Creative & Musical Writing

For adults or Grades 3-12: classroom program, workshop or residency

This language-focused workshop, through use of writing exercises, examples and interactive discussion, illustrates how to express one's interest in a subject through words and/or music.

Simple structure of poetry and songs, and the basics of melody and meter can be included. Students do a variety of exercises building towards development of original works collectively or individually during the session. This workshop is easily tied into ongoing curriculum in history, social sciences and other disciplines.

Pre- and post-workshop activities can be included to maximize participants opportunity to get "hands-on" writing experience. For Residencies a comprehensive work is often produced building on the exercises and techniques acquired; past projects include recording songs that have been written with field trips to a recording studio and radio station (see below), and producing a documentary about George Mason, author of the Bill of Rights.

See a pre-workshop lesson plan for an elementary school visit.

3rd Grade songwriters hard at work in the library at Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg VA

The songwriters sing their choruses during the recording session at Cabin Studios, Leesburg VA

Andrew did a Creative and Musical Writing Residency with two 3rd-grade classes as part of a year-long journaling project. Funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the project included each class writing and editing a song, a field trip to the recording studio to sing and record with studio musicians, and a field trip to a local radio station for an interview.

Hear "Be My Friend, Too", Mrs. Shaw's 3rd Grade, streaming MP3

Hear "Different", Mrs. McCoy's 3rd Grade, streaming MP3

Hear the kids interview on WAGE 1200 AM, streaming MP3