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Songwriters' Institute
Cumberland University Songwriters' Institute
The Cumberland University Songwriters' Institute was created with the goal of educating Cumberland students and the public in the craft and business of songwriting. The director and founder of the Songwriters' Institute is Michael Kosser, a veteran author and songwriter with 17 published books to his credit and songs recorded by George Jones, Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, Barbara Mandrell, Ray Price, Blake Shelton, Josh Gracin and many more. Over the years, Mr. Kosser has participated in numerous songwriting seminars and symposia, and his column, "Street Smarts," has appeared for more than two decades in American Songwriter magazine, America's number one magazine about the craft and industry of songwriting.
The Institute's method is two-fold:
MU135 - The Craft of Songwriting (3) - A course for lyricists, composers and songwriters exploring the techniques and inspirations for writing a hit song as well as the process of breaking into the music business and getting songs recorded. This course will involve songwriting lab classes, hearing some of the great hit songs over the years and listening to music industry professionals explain how the music business works and how new songwriters get their careers started.
MU321, 322, 323 - The Professional Performing Songwriter I/II/III (3 credits each) - Students interested in putting together their own bands will go through the process of finding their own sound, writing their own songs, recording their material and exposing it to music professionals. Students will learn about marketing their product through newer technology, including the Internet.
Students may use these courses to satisfy their curiosity about professional songwriting or they may use them as a jumping off point to pursue a career in professional songwriting, either as a singer/songwriter or as a non-performing songwriter. In time, the Institute plans to make similar courses available to the general public.
The Institute's method is two-fold:
- A series of courses for Cumberland students, classes for members of the public who wish to learn about commercial songwriting and programs for students of participating public schools
- Projects that publicize and inform the public about the songs that are a part of their everyday lives and collecting information that will be useful to teachers and students of songwriting.
MU135 - The Craft of Songwriting (3) - A course for lyricists, composers and songwriters exploring the techniques and inspirations for writing a hit song as well as the process of breaking into the music business and getting songs recorded. This course will involve songwriting lab classes, hearing some of the great hit songs over the years and listening to music industry professionals explain how the music business works and how new songwriters get their careers started.
MU321, 322, 323 - The Professional Performing Songwriter I/II/III (3 credits each) - Students interested in putting together their own bands will go through the process of finding their own sound, writing their own songs, recording their material and exposing it to music professionals. Students will learn about marketing their product through newer technology, including the Internet.
Students may use these courses to satisfy their curiosity about professional songwriting or they may use them as a jumping off point to pursue a career in professional songwriting, either as a singer/songwriter or as a non-performing songwriter. In time, the Institute plans to make similar courses available to the general public.