A creative and interactive educational assembly/workshop with professional songwriter Cathy Block.
Cathy breaks down the components of a song
What makes a great song?
How do you write a song?
And finally… with guidance from Cathy, the kids will actually compose together.
The Songwriting 101 assembly/workshop provides an enjoyable and educationally unique opportunity for children to delve into the art of music making, and explore writing with an exciting, personal, hands on experience!
Cathy’s program allows young people to explore in interdisciplinary fashion the art of writing and the art of musical composition. She leads students to understand how well – written lyrics, based on poetry, short stories, or personal journals, are woven together with musical rhythm, melody, and harmony to create a complete musical composition. Specific skills that are taught include:
- How to get ideas for songs
- How to shape a phrase in a succinct and pleasing way
- How to be sensitive to the nuances of language
- How to match the lyric to the music
- What tools and methods are used to write songs
- How to analyze basic song structure
- How to check your finished product to make it the best it can be
- How to listen to songs with a more appreciative and “educated” ear
Students have the fun of writing a song (verse and chorus) together with Cathy – and then performing it! When they are finished, they ask themselves: Did we say what we wanted to say? Did we say it in an interesting and unique way? How could we improve our work? Does the lyric fit the music, and does the music fit the lyric?
Here’s an example of Cathy’s songwriting. Heather Morris sings Shout the Message from Cathy’s original musical That’s What Kids Do!
Testimonials…
“The joy of working with Cathy is both the breadth of experience she brings to her music and the sensitivity that she demonstrates to the needs and aspirations of young people. She works equally well in a variety of musical genres, from rock and roll to jazz to musical theater, and when students hear the names of the professional musicians with whom she has worked, they are awed. She emphasizes the creative process rather than just the end product. If the best learning is hands-on, or performance-based, then Cathy offers a highly effective vehicle to make good things happen for kids.”
Peg Solitario, Principal, Buckingham Elementary School
“Cathy Block is an amazing talent! Her music is fun, catchy, and filled with positive messages. Her performance is entertaining and engaging for kids and grownups alike. We can’t wait to have her back again!”
Jennifer Outland, First Grade Teacher, Buckingham Elementary School
“I have seen Cathy work her musical charms with children of all ages. She engages them with ease and guides them through a delightful experience of creativity. With a little help they create the words, the music and sometimes the movement that allows for wonderful expression. Students come away from the experience with a better feeling of how music and lyrics work together. Cathy Block’s deep understanding of music and her love of good lyrics help students realize the possibilities of good song writing. Her own songs are a amazing testimony of her skills as both a musician and a writer.”
Peter Pearson , Principal Buckingham Friends School 1993-2005
Please contact Cathy for pricing.
Let Cathy know if you’re interested in adding a back to back interactive 45 minute music concert for grades 1-4.
