Composition Journal -
Intentionally keeping a diary is difficult, it can be a challenge to write and quite honestly, a challenge to read. The style of journaling required for this class will be different. These composition notebooks will change you. You will be expected to completely fill at least two of them over the course of this semester. You must take this task seriously as it will be ⅓ of your grade. Think of your composition book as a gathering place for snippets from your daily life. Keep it with you at all times. Along with diary pages, songs, poems, and writing assignments, I'd like you to catch quotes and notes from class, sparks of interest, ideas, rants, plans, insults, and inspirations. I’d also like you to include transient scraps from your everyday existence. Candy Wrappers, receipts, stickers, and lists. Torn out magazine collages, you can glue or tape them in. and don't forget to doodle! Over time, patterns will begin to surface, offering valuable insights into what we often call "the back of your mind." This project will allow you to view your life with an essence of mindfulness that brings the back of the mind to the forefront. Where you can begin to create your living, breathing songs. A semester of songwriting by hand, using comp books and the natural instinct for storytelling, We will ask the question: what does Originality have to do with the original creative tool?
6 Short Songs/ 6 Portfolio Songs:
In this songwriting course, you'll embark on a creative adventure akin to the Hero's Journey, using archetypal fiction as your map and guide. Just as myths and legends have stood the test of time, so too can your songs resonate with universal themes, deeply felt emotions, and timeless narratives.
The course begins by introducing you to the essential archetypes of storytelling — the Hero, the Magician, the Sage, the Rebel, and others — and shows you how these figures can shape the emotional and structural heart of your songs, with you being the soul. Throughout the course, Students will be writing archetypal themed songs. These songs will demonstrate their ability to apply concepts learned in class. Students must include both a recording and lead sheet of their songs when submitting work.
4 main themes: The Journey, The Legacy, Connection to Others, Providing Structure.
Final Portfolio Project: Interdisciplinary Creative Imagery Presentation. After weeks of collecting your living-breathing songs, your notebook will begin to develop patterns. The Magical Big Something that wants to be your final project will begin to reveal itself. We will meet individually in a student/teacher conference, to discuss the validity and the process of form that will be your final project, and how to best share during finals week: A concept Album, a music video, a fully illustrated lyric book. You will know what it is that needs to be made. We will schedule our student conference shortly after Spring Break. Bring your notebooks.