Opera Memphis Songwriting Project
ACT Songwriting Program
Congratulations! You have been chosen to participate in the Opera Memphis Arts for Children and Teachers Songwriting program.
The bulk of the program will take place during normal school hours. Its goal is to introduce you and your peers to music composition in the most direct way possible—by allowing you to write and record your own original song!
The process Your group will meet during a predetermined class period in a location to be decided by your school. Under the supervision of our music professionals, you will begin brainstorming ideas for themes. All songs begin with the creation of themes, then characters, and finally a storyline. Other musical and lyric elements—hook, chorus, verse, bridge, beat, groove, bass, harmony—follow. Participating teachers may elect to chose a novel or specific period in history for the students to study and then pull themes and, or characters from, thus connecting the process to already established curriculum. The process includes creative writing and a strong emphasis on working with others.
Our professionals make every effort to utilize the talents of each individual student. Even if you are not interested in singing, your help is needed in many other areas, such as writing, orchestration, mixing, mastering, and cover design. No matter what role you play, your contribution and collaboration in building the song is essential.
The single Once the song is written, you will spend several class periods rehearsing it in preparation for your recording session. This session will take place at Young Ave. Sound, a professional recording studio; your school will arrange for transportation. (You may miss a certain amount of classes on the day of the recording session.)
Though our professionals will be present and available as resources, the recording session is almost completely student-run. Your time in the studio is limited to two hours, so your group must have a clear strategy, intense focus, and good time management. The final product is a radio-ready single. Each of you will receive a CD copy of the session.
The presentation The program culminates with an assembly presentation of the final product, along with a panel discussion about the process and about songwriting in general.
We are proud to be able to offer this program at your school, and are glad to give you the opportunity to take part in it. You and your parent or guardian will indicate your commitment to the program by signing our combined permission slip/copyright form, which your school will supply.
If you have additional questions, please contact your principal or Chuck Parr at 901-278-9533
Congratulations! You have been chosen to participate in the Opera Memphis Arts for Children and Teachers Songwriting program.
The bulk of the program will take place during normal school hours. Its goal is to introduce you and your peers to music composition in the most direct way possible—by allowing you to write and record your own original song!
The process Your group will meet during a predetermined class period in a location to be decided by your school. Under the supervision of our music professionals, you will begin brainstorming ideas for themes. All songs begin with the creation of themes, then characters, and finally a storyline. Other musical and lyric elements—hook, chorus, verse, bridge, beat, groove, bass, harmony—follow. Participating teachers may elect to chose a novel or specific period in history for the students to study and then pull themes and, or characters from, thus connecting the process to already established curriculum. The process includes creative writing and a strong emphasis on working with others.
Our professionals make every effort to utilize the talents of each individual student. Even if you are not interested in singing, your help is needed in many other areas, such as writing, orchestration, mixing, mastering, and cover design. No matter what role you play, your contribution and collaboration in building the song is essential.
The single Once the song is written, you will spend several class periods rehearsing it in preparation for your recording session. This session will take place at Young Ave. Sound, a professional recording studio; your school will arrange for transportation. (You may miss a certain amount of classes on the day of the recording session.)
Though our professionals will be present and available as resources, the recording session is almost completely student-run. Your time in the studio is limited to two hours, so your group must have a clear strategy, intense focus, and good time management. The final product is a radio-ready single. Each of you will receive a CD copy of the session.
The presentation The program culminates with an assembly presentation of the final product, along with a panel discussion about the process and about songwriting in general.
We are proud to be able to offer this program at your school, and are glad to give you the opportunity to take part in it. You and your parent or guardian will indicate your commitment to the program by signing our combined permission slip/copyright form, which your school will supply.
If you have additional questions, please contact your principal or Chuck Parr at 901-278-9533
Respect Me As I Am
This song was written, recorded, filmed, and performed by Ashli Alexander, Monica Davis, Ashleigh Giles, Kirashae Graham, Chanel Gregory, Mariel Hicks, Jasmine Jackson, SeTerica Jackson, Kendria Jamerson, Rodney Jones II, Ebony "Chicken" McClatchey, Elizabeth Parker, Erica Shaw, Arneshia Topps, Silas Vassar, and LaQuisha Walters. Special thanks goes to Chuck Parr, Shelby Johnson, Nicki Newburger, Rod Pitts, Opera Memphis, Greater Memphis Arts Council, CK's Coffee Shop, The Parker Family, and DeAara Lewis.
Download the file at the bottom of the page to view the video!!!!
Download the file at the bottom of the page to view the video!!!!
Less Than an Enemy
"Less Than an Enemy", Indie Memphis: Student Shorts ... Jury Award: Best in Class 2011, was written, recorded, filmed, and performed by the Creative Writing Department for the 2010 - 2011 school year. We would like to extend a special word of thanks to all who worked on the project in conjunction with Opera Memphis and Arts Memphis.
Benny Balderrama, Jayelon Carr, Tiara Dickerson, Ashley Dillard, Angelica Figures, Keenan Hall, Joshua Lee, Marktavius Littles, Tasheena Mabry, Teairra McGaughy, Akili Mickens, Cierra Paige, Erica Ross, Jessika Shields, Sarai Vaughn, Richard Echols, Maurico Farmer, Chuck Parr, Shelby Johnson, Shannon L. Marszalek, Peggy Sessel, Sarah Squire, and Young Avenue Sound ...
Download the file at the bottom of the page to view the video!!!!
Benny Balderrama, Jayelon Carr, Tiara Dickerson, Ashley Dillard, Angelica Figures, Keenan Hall, Joshua Lee, Marktavius Littles, Tasheena Mabry, Teairra McGaughy, Akili Mickens, Cierra Paige, Erica Ross, Jessika Shields, Sarai Vaughn, Richard Echols, Maurico Farmer, Chuck Parr, Shelby Johnson, Shannon L. Marszalek, Peggy Sessel, Sarah Squire, and Young Avenue Sound ...
Download the file at the bottom of the page to view the video!!!!
This or That
This song was written by Overton High School's CAPA Creative Writing students under the direction of Shelby Johnson & Chuck Parr. The theme, "inSINuation", was taken from the opera "TOSCA". The students involved in the process were: Daniel Reed, Ashley Dillard, Cierra Paige, Akili Mickens, Jessika Shields, Marktavius Littles, April Hunt, Tasheena Mabry, Jeanelle Fanning, Morgan Breland, and Teairra McGaughy. They recorded the single at Young Avenue Studio on November 15, 2011. Special thanks to Brett Lawson, Shannon Marszalek, Opera Memphis, and ArtsMemphis.
Download the file at the bottom of the page to view the video!!!!
Download the file at the bottom of the page to view the video!!!!
Less Than an Enemy 2010 - 2011
You may download the following file to hear the single!
This or That 2011 - 2012
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Respect Me As I Am 2008 - 2009You may download the following file to view the video!
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