Core Music introduces students to the songwriting process and provides the guidance for them to write, arrange, and perform their own original songs, and to record at least one original song at a professional studio. Students may also collaborate with classmates on songs—many perform backing vocals or instrumental accompaniment on their friends’ work. All genres of music are welcome in the program, and no prior writing experience is necessary.
The day’s class structure is split, with half of most days spent learning music history, theory, business, and recording, and learning to deconstruct famous songs to understand the elements used in their composition. During the rest of the day, students write and rehearse their original songs, and receive individualized guidance and workshopping from their instructors. Regular listening sessions introduce students to new musicians and inspirations while deepening their musical appreciation. Field trips to see live music and local hallmarks of the music industry are planned as well.
Students in the three-week program have an additional studio recording session, which can be used to perfect their first recording or to record an additional song. Three-week students also collaborate with the Filmmaking program to shoot a music video for one of their songs. Each student leaves the program with audio recordings and a music video to share with friends and family.
Record your song in a multi-million dollar recording studio!
In New York City, record at the famous Dubway Studios where the likes of Alicia Keys, Adele, the White Stripes, Vampire Weekend, Beck, Bjork, Philip Glass, Mumford and Sons and many more have worked before you.
In Los Angeles, students have laid down their tracks at Red Gate and Village Studios, following in the footsteps of Christina Aguilera, John Lennon, Snoop Dogg, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Aerosmith to only name a few!
The Singer-Songwriter intensive provides development in the discipline of popular music. Instruction consists of group workshops and individual coaching in melody, harmony, arranging, lyric writing, and stage presence. Each student will have the opportunity to write and arrange an original song to be performed live.
While most students sing and accompany themselves on their original songs, students who do not play an instrument or who do not sing but who are interested in writing song lyrics and music can apply. All students in the music program will attend the same classes and produce the same outcomes (recordings, videos, etc). However, the singers will not only write their own original songs, but also perform with other students in the class as appropriate. Likewise, students who would like to focus on playing and not singing can apply and become part of the House Band, which will play with the other students on their original songs during recording sessions and live performances. The House Band collaborates individually with the many singer-songwriters to refine, record and perform several original songs. Band members gain experience arranging and performing in different genres of music. House Band students join the Singer-Songwriters for all classes and spend each day songwriting/arranging and rehearsing. House Band students will also gain experience recording in a professional studio as a “session musician.” Session dates are limited depending on enrollment and needed instrumentation.
All musicians dream of having their very own music video. Music videos are an undeniable part of our culture and an enormous accomplishment for any musician. Three-week musicians get the chance to work with students in the film program to create a music video of their own, original work. In addition to having written and recorded the song, musicians get to meet with their filmmakers to discuss their creative vision and are very much collaborators in the process. Music videos are uploaded to our server and are available for students to share with friends, family, or as an impressive part of an application to a school or job.
There are some necessary tools students must possess in order to be successful at SOCAPA Music.
An intermediate knowledge of music theory as it relates to major and minor scales, key signatures, and time signatures is important in our fast-paced learning environment. While we mainly focus on written chord symbols, a basic knowledge of reading music notes is also helpful. Above all, a deep passion for music and an understanding of basic musicianship is imperative in the life of any aspiring musician.
Each Friday is a celebration of all the work created at SOCAPA during the past week. Students in the music program have the opportunity to perform the songs they created at SOCAPA live for thier friends and family.
Students at our Los Angeles summer campus enjoy the advantages of being in the heart of the entertainment capital of the world. Chosen as home base by the film industry because of its nonstop sunshine and beautiful scenery, Hollywood, California, has become synonymous with making movies. SOCAPA's summer camps in LA are held at Occidental College, known as the Princeton of the West.
Los Angeles Campus Details
SOCAPA has two campuses in New York City. Our pre-college campus for ages 15-18 is located in the East Village of Manhattan at Astor Place where we use NYU facilities (classrooms, studios, theaters) and the New School's Residence Hall. Our shorter boot camp programs for younger high school students are hosted at Pratt University and FGSC on the Steiner Studios Film Lot in Brooklyn. Our Brooklyn Campus is temporarily closed.
New York City Campus Details
SOCAPA has two summer camp locations in Vermont: one at Champlain College, situated in the picturesque city of Burlington, and the other at the Burke Mountain Hotel in East Burke, a summer haven for mountain biking and other outdoor sports.
Vermont Campuses DetailsIf you have any questions, please send us a message. We will contact you ASAP.
Manhattan Campus
Los Angeles
Burlington, VT
