About the Course
Students will be asked to bring their instruments of choice for workshopping their songs and performing.
Songwriting Studio is designed for student musicians who want to explore their creative voice through original music, this elective provides a focused introduction to the art of songwriting within a collaborative studio environment. Students will learn how to transform musical ideas into complete songs through guided writing sessions, ensemble collaboration, and performance practice.
Through hands-on exercises and discussion, students will:
- Develop melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic ideas across contemporary genres
- Strengthen lyric writing and song structure skills
- Explore the relationship between words, melody, and emotional expression
- Collaborate with peers to arrange and workshop songs in class
- Share work through informal in-class performances and feedback sessions
This studio emphasizes creativity through practice rather than polished production. Students spend their time writing, playing, and experimenting to build confidence as songwriters and performers. By the end of the session, participants will have several developed song ideas, a stronger sense of their artistic identity, and practical tools to continue writing and performing beyond the program.
While this elective can be taken on its own, is is designed to pair perfectly with the core Summer@Cornish morning Music Intensive program.
We encourage students to enroll the morning intensive to build a strong foundation, then expand their skills and interests through these afternoon electives.
Explore the morning Music Intensive [here], or email plus@cornish.edu with any questions.
How the Summer@Cornish Program Works
Design your own schedule: full days, morning Intensive only or afternoon Electives only!
Three Ways to Participate
• Full-Day Program
• Half-Day Program
• Single Elective
Full-Day Program
• Morning Intensive: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–12 PM
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• Afternoon Electives: Monday/Wednesday/Friday) & Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM–4 PM
Half-Day Program
Students can select a combination of:
• Only morning Intensive
• Only two afternoon Electives
Residency Program (Optional Add-On)
Available to Full-Day students:
• Evening & weekend activities
• Extra studio time
• On-campus supervision and housing
Related Music Classes
Music Intensive + Audition Prep & Performance
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Composition for Film, Games & TV
This elective gives student composers and musicians the opportunity to explore how music shapes emotion, storytelling, and atmosphere in film, television, and interactive media. Working in a creative, hands-on studio environment, students learn to compose original music for visual scenes while gaining practical skills in digital audio production
Producing Music
This elective introduces student musicians to the creative and technical process of music production. From shaping ideas and building beats to arranging, recording, and mixing. Whether students come from a songwriting, instrumental, or vocal background, this hands-on course offers the tools and techniques needed to bring musical ideas to life in
Voice for Musical Theater
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Seattle Music Collective
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