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 2023
Norfolk, VA & Provo, UT
Annual Conference
March 17 – 18, 2023
Boston, MA
SongWorks Saturday Workshops
October 8, 2022
Norfolk, VA
News
2023 Emerging Pioneers
The Fleurette Sweeney Fellowship was initiated in 2010 to honor founding member and teacher extraordinaire, Dr. Fleurette Sweeney. We are pleased to announce this year’s Emerging Pioneers in Music Education!
Reflections on SongWorks Teaching
Last Spring, I was asked to share an arrangement lesson for my elementary school faculty. Who knew that SongWorks practices and principles tie in so nicely with the workshop model that my district wants all teachers to be using?
President-Elect Apprentice Call for Applications
Are you passionate about our work and interested in taking on a collaborative leadership role? The SWEA Presidential Team is looking for applicants to join the team as President-Elect Apprentice in Spring 2023.
2023 Conference Visiting Scholar
Since 2015, select scholars have been invited to the SongWorks Conference for the purpose of exposing them to the principles, practices, and activities of our organization. We are thrilled to announce Alison Reynolds of Temple University as our 2023 Visiting Scholar!
2023 Emerging Pioneers
The Fleurette Sweeney Fellowship was initiated in 2010 to honor founding member and teacher extraordinaire, Dr. Fleurette Sweeney. We are pleased to announce this year’s Emerging Pioneers in Music Education!
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
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.
A Tribute to Teachers
We are teachers. We know the importance of our work. We have made a career commitment to helping young people learn. Yet, we know that we’ll never finish our quest to be the best teacher we can be.
‘…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!
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.