Page Title

Why

            WHY start songwriting classes or clubs?

Character grows every time a student demonstrates the courage required to
step out on stage, display enough honesty to share their innermost thoughts
and feelings in a song, or the empathy to relate to other young people's lyrics
and support them through their life experiences.    Leadership qualities are
cultivated when students, who have received free writing encouragement for
years return to guide their younger peers.

Because songwriting is an intensive process involving not only the first rush of
creative inspiration, but painstaking hours of refinement and editing, the
process increases literacy and all of the intricacies of imagery, rhyme,
verbal symmetry, thematic-writing, and wordplay.

Songwriting clubs, like many other extra-curriculars, often provide an inspiring
channel of academic and emotional support between students and club
leaders. Teachers who offer to run any club, unpaid and outside of class time,
demonstrate their dedication to students. Research has shown that students
are less likely to drop out of high school if peers are supportive and if at
least one caring adult believes in them.

Co-curricular songwriting and composing music units add creative satisfaction
to music courses. Similar to the thrill of improvisation in jazz ensembles, calling
out the artistic power within young people provides them with a sense of
meaningful accomplishment.

Songwriting is not only a vehicle for self-expression, but is a time-honoured art,
at which students can excel, both spontaneously, and with the guidance of
mentors. Teachers are skilled at managing groups and keeping young people
motivated to learn, and they welcome the support of musical experts. Together,
they call out the potential of each student.

SASS attributes its effectiveness to the interdependence between teachers and
professional songwriters, and the magic that happens when youth tap into their
own strengths. SASS is witnessing the creation of some moving, new music.
We are seeing a synergy between three of the most idealistic groups in
society: teachers, philosopher-songwriters, and our children.

And the simplest answers to the question of WHY did SASS start? Artemis and Dale
just love writing songs, and have found it gratifying to help others discover how much
fun writing can be, too.     For the past several years, Artemis has been one many
volunteers who accept no payment as they try to make life and school experiences
richer and more meaningful for our youth.