The A, B, C’s of Music Composition and Songwriting

Jake Gunnar-Walsh, Instructor

Have you always wanted to write original music but felt unsure of where to begin?  Or have you ever had an incredible idea for a song and just been left wondering how to write it down?  Have no fear! Opus Ithaca’s Composer in Residence Jake Gunnar Walsh will be offering a 14 week Music Composition and Songwriting Workshop in the Spring of 2022.  Learn the basics of writing music, improvisation, text-setting, music theory, orchestration, musical notation, and more.

This class is geared towards anyone interested in music composition in the art music tradition as well as the singer/songwriter genre.  All those participating will have an original song/piece of music performed by local professional musicians in a concert of world premieres  in May of 2022.

Instruction will be a combination of group classes and some private lessons.

Prior experience with songwriting and/or reading music is welcome but not required!

Ages 14+ and Adults

SCHEDULE

February 5 – May 7, 2022, 12:30 – 1:45PM

Intro & Welcome – February 5
Getting started: Where to begin? – February 12
Melody I: Improvisation – February 19
Melody II: Form – February 26
Harmony I: Chords – March 19
Harmony II: Texture – March 26
Orchestration Ia, Instrument demos – April 2
(Week of April 4–Private lessons begin)
Orchestration Ib–Instrument demos – April 9
Orchestration II–Masterclass workshop – April 16
Score Editing – April 23
Score and Parts due – April 30
Dress rehearsal Week of May 2
World Premiere Performances – May 7

Tuition: $280 (14 sessions)

REGISTER HERE!