Program Details
Throughout history, the full gamut of human emotions and concerns has been expressed in song. During this 2-week virtual workshop, participants will be immersed in the basics of songwriting, music production, and how to communicate powerful emotion. Participants will also learn about the tradition of protest songs in the United States and the role that Motown Records played in societal change. They will be able to share ideas, receive feedback, and collaborate with other songwriters through live class sessions, clinics with industry professionals and legendary Motown Alumni, and independent coursework resulting in a virtual showcase of original material created during the workshop.
Eligibility
- Open to youth ages 13-18 years old
- Applicants will need to complete a Hitsville NEXT virtual course (available May 2021)
- No prior experience with singing or songwriting or production needed
Program Requirements
- Access to a computer with broadband internet access (Google Chrome is preferred) or smartphone/tablet
- An email address
- A webcam
- Speakers or headphones
- An external or internal microphone
Program Schedule
Specific program schedule will be available in the spring.
The program typically operates Monday–Friday 10:00AM-2:00PM
Registration Process
Online application form will be available in May 2021
Application Deadline: June 1, 2021
Application Checklist
- Complete the online application
- Complete select Hitsville NEXT virtual course (available May 2021)
- Submit an original track and set of lyrics after completing guided tutorials as part of the Hitsville NEXT virtual course
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of $25
FAQs
I am under the age of 13 or over the age of 18, can I participate?
The curriculum framework for the workshop is research-based and developmentally appropriate and is therefore only open to young adults aged 13-18 during the time of the workshop. Youth who are younger are encouraged to check out our Spark Summer Camp!
What does an online workshop look like?
A virtual summer workshop is an all-online opportunity to work on challenging projects together with peers from all over the nation during the course of two weeks. A physical meeting place is replaced with an online learning platform where you can check the materials and progress on the project. Communication will be facilitated with tools such as email and the Zoom platform.
What is the cost to participate?
This online program is available at no cost to participate thanks to the generous support of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
If I miss a day, can I still participate?
Yes. Although, the impact of missing a day is similar to missing a weekly class for a college course, so we recommend prioritizing attendance at all events.
Can I have access to the forum after?
The instructional material and workshop notes will be available online to access outside of the scheduled workshop time. We encourage them to connect with other peers to catch up on what they missed from the in-meeting group dialogue.
What technology is needed for me to attend?
For the best experience we recommend access to a computer with the latest version of Google Chrome or a smartphone/tablet, an email address, a webcam, speakers or headphones, an external or internal microphone and broadband internet connection or cellular data.