Compose Your Own ORIGINAL Song!
Enjoy a video preview (right) and explore the learning guides below. Teaching artists are available for LIVE video instruction sessions to accompany each video.
This learning series requires that you obtain a license to view/download content. If you'd like to purchase a license to download the full available content or to discuss creating a custom learning series for your students, please contact VirtualClassroom@MetGuild.org or use the link below.



Video One:
Writing Lyrics
Ms. Elizabeth introduces us to the first step in writing our original song: lyrics. In this video we will choose our topic and start to write our own lyrics by examining the lyrics from a popular song. Then, we learn how to use figurative language to make our own song text.

Video 1 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 1 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Language Standard 5
CCSS.ELA-Language.CCRA.L.5
Video Two:
A Sound Universe
Additionally, we will continue our study of song structure by examining the VERSE of our verse/chorus structure.

Video 2 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 2 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Writing Standard 3
CCSS.ELA-Writing.CCRA.W.3
Video Three:
Rhythm and BEAT!
This video is all about beats, making beats, rhythm, and MOVING our bodies to the beats. As we continue writing our own original song, Ms. Elizabeth teaches us how to create a beat track and a rhythm track for our original song using the ChromeLab Songmaker!

Video 3 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 3 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED S&L Standard 2
CCSS.ELA-Speaking and Listening.CCRA.SL.2
Video Four:
Melody and Singing
In this video we will explore our fourth step in writing our own original song - melody and singing! Ms. Elizabeth helps us compose and record an original melody using colors, the musical alphabet, and an online voice recorder. We also explore what a DAW is and how we can use this as we compose.

Video 4 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 4 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED S&L Standard 2
CCSS.ELA-Speaking and Listening.CCRA.SL.2
Video Five:
Be a Producer!
In the final video lesson of our five-part series on creating our own original song, Ms. Elizabeth teaches us how to PRODUCE our music. In this lesson we will learn how to assemble a complete song using a backing track and recording the melody we composed in a previous lesson. Then we put it all together and share our music!

Video 5 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 5 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED S&L Standard 5
CCSS.ELA-Speaking and Listening.CCRA.SL.5
Additional Information: (any additional/supplemental information related to this post will appear below)
Elizabeth Van Os, Teaching Artist
Soprano Elizabeth Van Os is one of New York City’s most dynamic performers, making waves not only as soloist and ensemble member but also as a co-founder of the non-profit Pleiades Project. For her efforts, opera-zine parterre noted her “striking impression,” with additional praise from Voce di Meche for her “lovely, affecting” voice and “justifiable passion.” Born Elizabeth Smith, she holds performance degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Brigham Young University in Idaho. Learn more by visiting elizabethvanos.com.

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