Students will explore their creative voice through writing, playing, and sharing original music. In a collaborative studio environment, they’ll learn to turn musical ideas into songs through guided writing sessions, group work, and performance practice.

Through hands-on exercises, students will develop melodies, chord progressions, rhythms, and lyrics across contemporary genres. They’ll explore song structure and discover how words and music work together to communicate emotion and tell a story.

Students will collaborate with classmates to arrange and workshop their songs, try out new ideas, and share work through informal performances and feedback sessions. The emphasis will be on writing, playing, and experimenting, giving students room to take creative risks and build confidence as songwriters and performers.

What Students Will Create

Students will develop a collection of song ideas, lyrics, and musical sketches, bringing selected pieces into more complete song forms. Through in-class sharing and revision, they’ll build a stronger sense of their artistic voice and practical tools to continue writing and performing beyond the program.

What Registration Will Include

This registration will cover one afternoon elective only. A morning intensive, a second afternoon elective, and housing will require separate registration.

Students will be able to take this elective on its own or combine it with other Summer@Cornish courses. No morning intensive will be required.

How Students Will Build Their Schedules

Full-Time Program
Students will register for a morning intensive and two afternoon electives, one from each schedule. Morning intensives will meet Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon, with a lunch break from noon–1 p.m.

One Afternoon Elective
Students will register for this course and attend on the days listed in its schedule. Afternoon electives will run from 1–4 p.m.

Afternoon Electives Only
Students who wish to attend every afternoon will choose two electives: one that will meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday and one that will meet Tuesday/Thursday.

Students will be able to pair this elective with the Music Intensive, or combine it with another morning intensive to explore interests across disciplines.

Students will need to add each course to their cart separately.

Browse Summer@Cornish courses →

Housing Options

A residential option will be available to full-day students and will include supervised housing, evening and weekend activities, and extra studio time.

Students who plan to stay in housing will need to begin with the residential application before registering for courses. They’ll receive instructions for selecting a morning intensive and two afternoon electives as part of the residential package.

Learn about the residential program and how to apply →

Questions?

Students and families will be able to get help choosing courses and building a schedule by emailing cornishplus@seattleu.edu.