In this concert, students participating in the Writing Our Musical History project will have their compositions performed by professional musicians. During the 2023-24 academic year, these students will work with singer-songwriter and educator Alexandra Grace to create their songs inspired by a place in their town.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Rockport Music will be the main implementing organization, along with 1623 Studios, in this new project which brings together four school districts (Rockport, Gloucester, Manchester-Essex, and Beverly). High school students in these four districts will have the opportunity to work with a teaching artist six times throughout the 2023-24 school year in a songwriting project, creating a song about a place in their town that is meaningful to them. The teaching artist will give guidance in creating lyrics and harmonies, and share the song writing process from inception to written notation. The main goal of this project is to center youth voices; promote creative agency, work collaboratively, and empower students to write their own narrative. History by definition is the study of past events, but this project would reframe the concept and allow the students to think of writing their history now and being a part of it.
Students will also have the opportunity to work with professional musicians who will perform their songs, both at the Shalin Liu Performance Center and at each chosen site of inspiration. 1623 Studios will record each performance, and document the process. In addition to the live performances, a sign/plaque will be posted at each site to both commemorate the song and have it accessible via a QR code for future visitors to experience the performance on demand. Music tends to be the art form that is not easily accessible publicly after a performance, so by leaving the recordings in a public place, the songs will continue to be heard for years to come.
Writing Our Musical History is made possible thanks in part to support from Essex County Community Foundation through the Creative County Initiative.
Free, reservations encouraged
Thank you to our 2023-24 Education & Community Engagement Corporate partner!
