Teaching Moment

Objective: Understand the basic structure of a song: Intro, Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Bridge, and Outro.

Background: Songwriting in pop and contemporary music is based on melodic and structural elements. One of the most important aspects is rhyme. Below is an original song with missing rhyming words and structure labels. Your job is to fill them in!

WE SAY IT WITH MUSIC
(A soaring anthem for musicians everywhere)

*______________
When words fall short, when silence grows,
We let the melody take control.
Every note, every chord, every drum that beats,
Tells the stories we can’t _________________.

*______________
It’s in the rhythm, it’s in the sound,
A symphony that shakes the _________________.
Hearts in sync, hands held tight,
Music shines where words lose light.

*______________
We say it with music, we play it with pride,
Every heartbeat keeps us alive.
Through the highs, through the lows,
Let the harmonies _________________!
We say it with music, no need for a sign,
Just listen close, you’ll feel it inside!

*______________
Trumpets call like morning’s rise,
Strings can make the coldest cry.
Drums will thunder, voices soar,
Every song opens a _________________.

*______________
It’s in the rhythm, it’s in the sound,
A symphony that shakes the _________________.
Side by side, we stand as one,
Our song’s not over ‘til we’re _________________!

*______________
We say it with music, we play it with pride,
Every heartbeat keeps us alive.
Through the highs, through the lows,
Let the harmonies _________________!
We say it with music, no need for a sign,
Just listen close, you’ll feel it inside!

*______________
When we’re lost, when we dream,
Music holds us in between.
When we cry, when we cheer,
Every note is loud and _________________!

*______________
We say it with music, we play it with pride,
Every heartbeat keeps us alive!
Through the highs, through the lows,
Let the harmonies _________________!

More Than Just a Performer – Preparing for College Music Programs

From __________________________ to ____________________ Music Student’s Parents
Music Teacher’s Name     Name of School

Dear Parents,

I watch the Grammy Awards every year, and I’m always amazed—not just by the performances but by the massive industry behind them. The outfits, the stage productions, the dedicated fans—it’s all part of an ecosystem that turns music into a multi-billion-dollar business. Whether or not I personally enjoy every artist’s style, I can always recognize one key ingredient to their success: they have crafted a song that connects with an audience.

This side of the music industry is evolving rapidly, and colleges are taking notice. Schools like Berklee College of Music, Belmont University, NYU Steinhardt, and the University of Miami aren’t just training instrumentalists and vocalists anymore—they’re preparing songwriters, producers, and music entrepreneurs. More and more universities are shifting their focus beyond performance skills, valuing students who write, arrange, and think like business-minded artists.

The Changing Face of Music Education

Music is a $143 billion industry that supports nearly 2 million jobs. As streaming dominates music consumption, colleges recognize that musicians need more than technical skill—they need creativity, adaptability, and business savvy.

Many universities now offer scholarships not just for instrumental or vocal performance, but for songwriting and even rap. In fact, some schools now weigh a student’s ability to write a song more heavily than AP music theory credits when making admissions decisions.

How Parents Can Support Their Music Students

To help your child stand out when applying to college music programs, consider:

• ✔️ Encouraging them to write original music—many schools now require a composition portfolio.
• ✔️ Discussing the business of music—royalties, streaming, and publishing are crucial topics.
• ✔️ Exploring colleges with strong music business & production programs—performance alone isn’t always enough.

For more insights into these trends, visit Accoladi.com to read the full article.

Family Discussion: What Makes a Hit Song?

Choose a popular song your child loves and talk about:

• • What makes it appealing? (Lyrics? Melody? Production?)
• • Who wrote and produced it?
• • How do they think the artist earns money from it?

Understanding these elements can spark creativity and help students see music as both an art and a career.

Let’s prepare the next generation of musicians—not just as performers, but as creators and industry leaders.

________________________________________________
[Your Name]
Director of Music Believing There is a Star in Every Class

P.S. My List of Schools with Solid Pop/Commercial Music Programs

• Berklee College of Music
• NYU Steinhardt
• Anderson University (S.C)
• California Institute of the Arts
• Middle Tennessee State
• Catawba College
• The City College of New York
• Baldwin Wallace University
• Full Sail University
• University of Colorado at Denver
• Liberty University
• Columbia College Chicago
• University of Miami
• University of North Texas
• Belmont University
• University of Southern California
• University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)