Songwriting for Kids: Calendar

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Bowdoin College

Children's book authors Charlotte Agell (Shift; Dancing Feet) and Rohan Henry (The Perfect Gift; Good Night, Baby Ruby), and musician Josephine Cameron will be on hand for "illustrated storytelling," music, and activities in remembrance of Dr. King.

The program is geared toward children ages five and up, and is open to the public. Admission is free.

Refreshments will be served, and selected titles by the authors will be available for purchase.

For more information, call the Bowdoin College Library at 725-3280.

In the event of inclement weather on January 16, check the Bowdoin website's home page for event cancellation information, or call 725-3000, option 3.

Monday, July 18th, 2011

Summer Workshop: Songwriting for Kids

July 18-22: Students entering grades K-3. Through games, singing, and exercises, we will explore 5 components of basic songwriting: rhythm, rhyme, song structure, lyrics, and melody. A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration. Using the tools they have learned, students will join together to write an original song from start to finish.

For more information and to register, please download the 2011 SFK Brochure (.pdf).

Monday, July 18th, 2011

Summer Workshop: Fiction Writing for Kids

July 18-22: Grades 3-5. This workshop will teach core concepts of fiction writing including in-depth sessions on Character, Plot, Imaginative Writing, and the all-important skill of Revision. During the workshop, students will study character development, plot structure, and setting in popular children's literature and will write and illustrate their own individual stories.

For more information and to register, please download the 2011 SFK Brochure (.pdf).

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

Crooker Auditorium, Brunswick High School

Songwriter Martin Swinger and I will spend the evening discussing and showcasing the work we've done with the Brunswick School Districts through the 2010-11 Arts Are Elementary Artist Grants. Martin has been working with 1st grade and primary pod students, and I will be working with 5th grade students.

If you are a Brunswick 5th grader and would like to sing with me up on stage, please try to show up around 1:30pm so we can go over the set list. Thanks!

Monday, April 25th, 2011

Brunswick School District

Thanks to a generous grant from Arts Are Elementary, I'll be working with all the 5th grade classrooms in the Brunswick School District. We'll learn songs that were sung in Civil War Era battlefields, cotton fields, and the home front. We'll talk about the new "American music" that began to take shape, and how this music both reflected and informed attitudes toward the war and toward African Americans. We'll also write some verses of our own!

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Bowdoin College

July 19-23: Students entering grades 3-5. This workshop teaches the basics of writing poetry in both form and free verse. Students will study and analyze poems by poets from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Robert Frost to Gwendolyn Brooks and Robert Hayden. They will use class time to write and illustrate their own short book of poems.

For more information and to register, please download the 2010 SFK Brochure (.pdf).

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Bowdoin College

July 19-23: Students entering grades K-3. In Vol. 2, we will experiment with various songwriting forms and structures: the blues, the "hooky" pop chorus, the bridge. Students will work in small groups and individually to write a number of "song sketches" throughout the week. This workshop may be taken as a stand-alone, but students who have taken Vol. 1 will benefit from having a knowledge of the vocabulary and traditional song structure we will use as a base.

For more information and to register, please download the 2010 SFK Brochure (.pdf).

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Bowdoin College

July 12-16: Students entering grades 3-5. This workshop will teach core concepts of fiction writing including in-depth sessions on Character, Plot, Imaginative Writing, and the all-important skill of Revision. During the workshop, students will study character development, plot structure, and setting in popular children's literature and will write and illustrate their own individual stories.

For more information and to register, please download the 2010 SFK Brochure (.pdf).

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Bowdoin College

July 12-19: Students entering grades K-3. Through games, singing, and exercises, we will explore 5 components of basic songwriting: rhythm, rhyme, song structure, lyrics, and melody. A strong emphasis is placed on collaboration. Using the tools they have learned, students will join together to write an original song from start to finish.

For more information and to register, please download the 2010 SFK Brochure (.pdf).

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

MOPS

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Shelter Institute

A local homeschool group and the Shelter Institute in Woolwich are hosting this event, and I hope you will be able to attend. Please spread the word to any families you think might be interested. Space is limited, so an RSVP is required. Please RSVP to michelle.larocquetipton_at_gmail_dot_com as space is limited.

Here is a sweet note from Michele about the workshop:
Josie has offered her workshop on American Songs to school groups, and in this unique event she will be opening the workshop up for families to enjoy. She has won the hearts of OUR family and friends with her beautiful voice, love of children, and interest in American folk songs. Please check her out at Josephinecameron.com and join us for this amazing opportunity.

Monday, July 20th, 2009

NEW! Poetry Writing for Kids

July 20-24 (1:30-5:00pm)

This workshop teaches the basics of writing poetry in both form and free verse. Students will learn to study and analyze poems by poets from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Robert Frost to Gwendolyn Brooks and Robert Hayden. Students will use class time to write and illustrate their own short book of poems. 2009 Registration Form (.pdf)

Monday, July 20th, 2009

NEW! Songwriting for Kids Vol. 2

July 20-24 (8:30am-12:00pm)

In Vol. 2, we will experiment with various songwriting forms and structures: the blues, the "hooky" pop chorus, the bridge. Students will work in small groups and individually to write a number of "song sketches" throughout the week. This workshop may be taken as a stand-alone, but students who have taken Vol. 1 will benefit from having a knowledge of the vocabulary and traditional song structure we will use as a base. 2009 Registration Form (.pdf)

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Fiction Writing for Kids

July 13-17 (1:30-5:00pm)

This workshop teaches the basics of fiction writing, including Character, Plot, Revision, and Imaginative Writing. During the workshop, students will study character development, plot structure, and setting in popular children's literature and will write and illustrate their very own book. 2009 Registration Form (.pdf)

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Songwriting for Kids Vol. 1

July 13-17 (8:30am-12:00pm)

This is the traditional Songwriting for Kids workshop. We will learn American folk songs and use them to discover the basics of songwriting while gaining some insight into the historical context of the songs. We will focus on elements of rhythm, rhyme, melody, and above all, collaboration. Students will learn about creative teamwork and work together to write a class song. Students who have previously taken this workshop are more than welcome as songs and activities vary from year to year. 2009 Registration Form (.pdf)

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Williams-Cone School

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Portland Museum of Art

more details soon...

Monday, December 15th, 2008

Williams-Cone School

Elementary SFK program

Monday, November 17th, 2008

Williams-Cone School

Elementary SFK program

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Williams-Cone School

Elementary SFK program

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Bowdoin College: 1-week Summer Camp

Students entering grades K-3 will learn the basics of how a song is created, analyze traditional folk songs for rhythm, rhyme, structure, lyrics, melody, and harmony, learn about important American songwriters, and write an original song as a group. On the final day of camp, the children will present the “World Premiere” of their class song and perform the traditional songs they’ve learned in the camp at a performance for families and friends.

Download the 2008 Summer Camp brochure & registration form here. (.pdf) For more information, please email Josephine.

Monday, July 14th, 2008

Bowdoin College: 1 Week Summer Camp

Ever had dreams of becoming an author? Come spend a week learning how to write your own book. This workshop will teach core concepts of fiction writing including Character, Plot, Imaginative Writing, and Revision. Each student will write and illustrate their very own story. Come join us! Who knows...you could write the next Eragon!

Download the 2008 Summer Camp brochure & registration form here. (.pdf) For more information, please email Josephine.

Monday, December 31st, 2007

We're taking a little time off for the fall...check back for new Songwriting for Kids events and classes soon!

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007

Cape Elizabeth Community Services

Join us for K-3 afternoon workshop sessions on Tuesdays in October and November. More info coming soon...

Wednesday, August 1st, 2007

Sebasco Harbor Resort: Family Campfire Singalong

Josephine will be hosting a family campfire singalong (and marshmallow roast!) for music lovers young and old. Open to the public.

Saturday, July 28th, 2007

Sebasco Harbor Resort: Family Campfire Singalong

Josephine will be hosting a family campfire singalong (and marshmallow roast!) for music lovers young and old. Open to the public.

Wednesday, July 25th, 2007

Sebasco Harbor Resort: Family Campfire Singalong

Josephine will be hosting a family campfire singalong (and marshmallow roast!) for music lovers young and old. Open to the public.

Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Bowdoin College: 1 Week Summer Camp

Ever had dreams of becoming an author? Come spend a week learning how to write your own book. This workshop will teach core concepts of fiction writing including Character, Plot, and Imaginative Writing. Each student will write and illustrate their very own book. Come join us! Who knows...you could write the next Eragon!

Download the 2007 Summer Camp brochure & registration form here. (.pdf) For more information, please email Josephine.

Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Bowdoin College: 1-week Summer Camp

By request, we have added an additional June session of Songwriting for Kids camp at Bowdoin College! Each SFK session is a different experience with new songs and new ideas, so students are welcome to sign up for both the June & July sessions if they desire.

An extended, half-day version of last-year's Bowdoin College session for children entering grades K-3. Students will learn the basics of how a song is created, analyze traditional folk songs for rhythm, rhyme, structure, lyrics, melody, and harmony, learn about important American songwriters, and write an original song as a group. On the final day of camp, the children will present the “World Premiere” of their class song and perform the traditional songs they’ve learned in the camp at a performance for families and friends.

Download the 2007 Summer Camp brochure & registration form here. (.pdf) For more information, please email Josephine.

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

Sebasco Harbor Resort: Family Campfire Singalong

Josephine will be hosting a family campfire singalong (and marshmallow roast!) for music lovers young and old. Open to the public.

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

Sebasco Harbor Resort: Family Campfire Singalong

Josephine will be hosting a family campfire singalong (and marshmallow roast!) for music lovers young and old. Open to the public.

Monday, July 9th, 2007

Waynflete Summer Programs: 2-week Summer Camp

Waynflete Summer Programs offers a 2-week, intensive session of Songwriting for Kids as part of their widely popular summer programs. This is a unique half-day program for children entering grades K-3. Children will learn the basics of how a song is created, analyze traditional folk songs for rhythm, rhyme, structure, lyrics, melody, and harmony, learn about important American songwriters, and write an original song as a group. On the final day of camp, the children will present the “World Premiere” of their class song and perform the traditional songs they’ve learned in the camp at a performance for families and friends.

Register today at the Waynflete website.

If you are new to Waynflete Summer Programs and would like to receive a brochure please call Molly Hayes, School Operator, at 207-774-5721 ext. 200.

Wednesday, July 4th, 2007

Sebasco Harbor Resort: Family Campfire Singalong

Josephine will be hosting a family campfire singalong (and marshmallow roast!) for music lovers young and old. Open to the public.

Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

Sebasco Harbor Resort: Family Campfire Singalong

Josephine will be hosting a family campfire singalong (and marshmallow roast!) for music lovers young and old. Open to the public.

Monday, June 25th, 2007

Bowdoin College: 1-week Summer Camp

By request, we have added an additional June session of Songwriting for Kids camp at Bowdoin College! Each SFK session is a different experience with new songs and new ideas, so students are welcome to sign up for both the June & July sessions if they desire.

An extended, half-day version of last-year's Bowdoin College session for children entering grades K-3. Students will learn the basics of how a song is created, analyze traditional folk songs for rhythm, rhyme, structure, lyrics, melody, and harmony, learn about important American songwriters, and write an original song as a group. On the final day of camp, the children will present the “World Premiere” of their class song and perform the traditional songs they’ve learned in the camp at a performance for families and friends.

To register for this special additional session, please email Josephine for a form, or write in "SPECIAL JUNE SESSION" on the 2007 Summer Camp brochure & registration form (.pdf)

Sunday, March 25th, 2007

Augusta Unitarian Universalist Church

As part of their coming of age program, Josephine will work with teens at the Augusta UUC to develop a song that the whole congregation can use in their worship services. Not open to the public. If you are interested in hosting a session of Songwriting for Spirit at your church or organization, please contact Josephine.

Sunday, March 18th, 2007

Augusta Unitarian Universalist Church

As part of their coming of age program, Josephine will work with teens at the Augusta UUC to develop a song that the whole congregation can use in their worship services. Not open to the public. If you are interested in hosting a session of Songwriting for Spirit at your church or organization, please contact Josephine.

Friday, January 19th, 2007

Harpswell Islands School

Josephine Cameron will be at HIS on January 19th, 2007. Sponsored by the PTO, she will be a guest-artist working with Allison Chapman and students in music classes throughout the day. Josie’s workshops will build on students’ Fall trimester study of traditional American music while introducing them to the basics of songwriting. Josephine will perform a mix of well-known songs and her own original tunes for the school community at 2:00, and parents are welcome to come to the performance! (Please check in at the office upon your arrival.)