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| What is SASS? |
Please click here to view the official "Guiding Principles of SASS" SASS, the School Alliance of Student Songwriters, is not one, single school, but rather a network of co-curricular songwriting clubs offered to children in grades 6-12, in 40-50 Ontario schools since 2003. In B.C., the songwriting training takes place within music classes. Both methods are valid and the flexibility of the program facilitates songwriting training in a variety of venues. The program's goals across the country are to make young people's lives happier, more balanced and well-rounded through musical creativity explored in a safe and protective environment. The discipline of songwriting boosts literacy and welcomes self-expression. SASS also hopes to improve attendance in school, build character and leadership, and to provide more forums for caring adults and peers to listen to youth. SASS songwriting clubs aspire to be 'as much about love as they are about music'. SASS offers young people an outlet where they can express themselves with voice or instruments, in whatever genre they wish, and respect each other as artistic peers, encouraged by fellow artists and professionals. Since 2003, SASS has provided over 1,500 professional writers' workshops, over 150 concerts, open-mics, and interschool recitals, welcomed thousands of e-mails, offered over 10,000 teacher-led writers' clubs, made scores of free recordings, planned 7 national song contests on uplifting themes, and seen thousands of young lives enriched by music and enduring friendships in the SASS community. SASS does not guarantee the production of 'famous' musicians, although career- minded young artists have found the SASS community a helpful place to network and grow. Star-making is NOT a main goal of SASS. The nurturing of community- minded artists with solid writing skills and a social conscience IS. SASS creators/ founders and administrators do NOT request any percentage of the future earnings of any young artists it may help to develop. SASS students retain all rights to their free SASS studio recordings. SASS does not attempt to formally teach the instrumental or vocal skills already covered in band or choir classes. SASS agrees with the Coalition for Music Education, that more school choirs, bands, and orchestras are needed in every community, revived by parents’ interest in their children’s musical creativity. SASS is a community labour of love. We are proud of all of the caring writers, teachers, sponsors, and parents who make this writers' community happen. |