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SongWorks:

Playful Teaching, Vibrant Learning

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

SongWorks Summer Certification Courses

Certification Courses

Summer 2024

Norfolk, VA & Salt Lake City, UT

2021 Virtual Conference Information

Annual Conference

April 2, 9, & 13, 2024

Online

News

Personal Progress and Community Support

Personal Progress and Community Support

Rachel Gunderson recently completed her Level 3 SongWorks Certification Teaching Practicum to become a SongWorks Certified Educator. Here she shares her reflections on how the experience has enriched her teaching practice. Participating in this year-long SongWorks...

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SongWorks in Action at ODU: Student Reflections

SongWorks in Action at ODU: Student Reflections

After their Level 1 Certification Course, SongWorks in Action students shared their reflections on a week of deep learning and engagement with SongWorks Principles and Practices. From Left to Right: (Row 1) Kylie Decker, Sandy Murray, Betty Phillips, Kayla Buchanan;...

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Building Relationships with SongWorks

Building Relationships with SongWorks

Kylie Decker recently completed her Level 3 SongWorks Certification Teaching Practicum to become a SongWorks Certified Educator. Here she shares her reflections on how the experience has enriched her teaching practice. As I have taught this year I have gained a deeper...

read more
Personal Progress and Community Support

Personal Progress and Community Support

Rachel Gunderson recently completed her Level 3 SongWorks Certification Teaching Practicum to become a SongWorks Certified Educator. Here she shares her reflections on how the experience has enriched her teaching practice. Participating in this year-long SongWorks...

read more

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

A Musical Evolution of Notation: Introduction

A Musical Evolution of Notation: Introduction

Often, conventional music notation is studied on an elemental level by pulling visual symbols, representing rhythm and pitch, out of their musical context for study. What happens when we consider that complex traditional music notation has become so rigid that its study at an elemental level lacks value, function, or power?

read more
‘…that by which…’

‘…that by which…’

In 1946 during my first year of undergraduate studies, I took my very first course in philosophy. How I loved that course! Yet for all my enthusiasm at the time only two precise memories remain. Those of you who know me will laugh at this first one simply because I haven’t changed a whit to this day!

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The Children Are Coming: An Interview with Leah Sunquist

The Children Are Coming: An Interview with Leah Sunquist

At the beginning of the school year, I’m excited to see my students! I’ve missed them, and I’m excited to rekindle the relationships. I like to touch base with what’s going on, see the growth and find out what’s happened in their lives. I am also excited about all the new things I have to present to them, and the journeys I want to take them on throughout the year.

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Looby Loo Scores and Scrambles

Looby Loo Scores and Scrambles

Playful Teaching – Vibrant Learning! What an inspirational tagline! Yet we easily fall into ‘habitual teaching’ where we take the same route to achieve a specific learning goal. This group of lessons is suggested as a pathway to vibrant learning. The ultimate goal is to be skillful in reading and musical in performing several different scores for “Looby Loo.”

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A Musical Evolution of Notation: Introduction

A Musical Evolution of Notation: Introduction

Often, conventional music notation is studied on an elemental level by pulling visual symbols, representing rhythm and pitch, out of their musical context for study. What happens when we consider that complex traditional music notation has become so rigid that its study at an elemental level lacks value, function, or power?

read more