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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
Summer 2025
Salt Lake City, UT
Annual Conference
April 4-5, 2025
Dallas, TX
SongWorks in Practice (SIP)
2024-2025 Season
Monthly Sessions Online
News
The “How” is as Important as the “What”
The College Music Society published a report in 2014 stating, “Teaching and learning are informed by unprecedented levels of research that render much of traditional music instruction at odds with what we know about perception, cognition and motivation.” The article...
From the President
Happy Fall! In addition to the cozy sweatshirts, colorful festivals, and heartwarming aromas of cinnamon, pumpkin, and clove, this beautiful season of transition is also a necessary cycle in nature’s journey.
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...
From the President
Spring is just around the corner! Whether we like it or not, our own little worlds will change, too. In these last few months of the school year, I encourage you to embrace aesthetic growth, personally and professionally. Fill your life, including your teaching, with things that bring you energy.
The “How” is as Important as the “What”
The College Music Society published a report in 2014 stating, “Teaching and learning are informed by unprecedented levels of research that render much of traditional music instruction at odds with what we know about perception, cognition and motivation.” The article...
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
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Become a Member, Gain Access to 50+ Sturdy Songs & Study Activities
From the Archive
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.”
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?
‘…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!
Playing with Sally
“Sally Go ‘Round the Sun” is a classic game to play with younger elementary students! You may have read many variations of how to play the game, add partner songs, and more in the Sturdy Songs Collection on the SongWorks website. I have used this song with grades K–2...
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.”