Who We Are
The SongWorks Educators Association (SWEA) is a community of educators who engage learners through SongWorks, a principles-based approach to teaching music.
SongWorks principles and practices offer teachers both grounding and flexibility in making purposeful, caring choices in their interactions with people and music. Songs are the foundation for study and learning experiences that nurture playfulness, responsiveness, and musicality.
Through developing and sharing ideas centered around the SongWorks teaching approach, SWEA members support each other in growing as educators and learners.
Events
Certification Courses
July 13-17, 2026
Salt Lake City, UT
Annual Conference
April 2026
Online
News
Playing with London Bridge
The following pathway was created for the 2026 SongWorks Summer Courses by Certification Executive Director, Betty Phillips. We’d like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to Betty for all the time, effort, and thoughtful care...
From the President – August 2026
Dear SongWorks Family, By the time you read this, our teachers in my home state of Texas will be back in the classroom with students. One of the fascinating things–to me–is how different the school year looks from one state/province/country to the next! Some of...
SongWorks for Choirs
When I stopped teaching general music full-time and decided to direct for a choral nonprofit, I was worried that I would not be able to use my SongWorks training as often as I would like. It took a bit of brainstorming, but I’ve developed some ways to effectively use...
Playing with London Bridge
The following pathway was created for the 2026 SongWorks Summer Courses by Certification Executive Director, Betty Phillips. We’d like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to Betty for all the time, effort, and thoughtful care...
From the President – August 2026
Dear SongWorks Family, By the time you read this, our teachers in my home state of Texas will be back in the classroom with students. One of the fascinating things–to me–is how different the school year looks from one state/province/country to the next! Some of...
Resources
Looking for Songworks I & II or other printed resources?
Head over to our Books page for these and more!
Get Involved
• SWEA Newsletter & Teaching Ideas
• SWEA Membership
Available in Members Access Area
Become a Member, Gain Access to 50+ Sturdy Songs & Study Activities
From the Archive
Take a Musical Field Trip: Play an Experience Game
Teaching is a journey in more ways than one. In her very first publication from 1975, Dr. Peggy D. Bennett explores one facet of this metaphor as she draws connections between field trips and song game experiences, highlighting the social, emotional, and educational benefits of both.
Voice Discovery in a “Safe” Atmosphere: What Every Child Needs
Singing alone is a key factor in developing skills in healthy, accurate singing. This article offers ideas for creating a “safe” atmosphere for children to sing alone and for giving feedback about the singing.
We’ve Had a Good Time Playing the Game: Now What? (Revisited)
Have you ever felt stuck or unsure what to do next after you’ve played a game with your students? In this article from the August 2013 MEI (SWEA) Newsletter, Dr. Peggy Bennett gives us specific ideas for how to progress from sounds to symbols in order to study a song.
Take a Musical Field Trip: Play an Experience Game
Teaching is a journey in more ways than one. In her very first publication from 1975, Dr. Peggy D. Bennett explores one facet of this metaphor as she draws connections between field trips and song game experiences, highlighting the social, emotional, and educational benefits of both.
Voice Discovery in a “Safe” Atmosphere: What Every Child Needs
Singing alone is a key factor in developing skills in healthy, accurate singing. This article offers ideas for creating a “safe” atmosphere for children to sing alone and for giving feedback about the singing.