New songwriting course hits the right note with students

Kieran Wilson (centre) with his first cohort of songwriting students from St Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty Hill

Kieran says that he hopes students take away new musical ideas from their involvement in his course

Students across the diocese are reveling in the opportunity to get a taste of the music industry with a new songwriting course being offered through Catholic Education’s Learning Exchange (LEX).

LEX multimedia project officer, Kieran Wilson, is drawing on his passion for music to provide an exciting opportunity for students to learn more about songwriting in his weekly workshops. Inspired by the talent of CAPTIVATE students across the diocese, Kieran sought out a way to use his background in music and work with students.

‘In speaking with students while out filming CAPTIVATE events, I asked if they had done any work on songwriting composition,’ said Kieran. ‘I recognised there are some very talented students in our schools and I wanted to provide an opportunity for them to really hone their skills.’

With five years songwriting experience for his band ‘Red Oxygen’, Kieran’s four week course draws on his own experience of composing music and is designed for Years 9 to 11 students. Open to students of varying musical experience and ability, the course examines the fundamentals of music songwriting and acts as a springboard into creative ideas and mindsets.  

‘A lot of students know that if you want to write a stock standard song, you write verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus – but I am aiming to show them what else is possible through this course,’ said Kieran. ‘We look at a range of different songs across all genres and I get the students to think about the structure, lyrics and layering of sounds and how they can use it in their own work.’

Kieran says that he wants to get students thinking about interesting things that can be put into songs, beyond the basics and outside of the ordinary.

‘I hope that by the end of this course, students will be open to new musical ideas, that they will be able to deconstruct a song they hear and have an educated opinion on structure, instrument usage and sound.’

The first group of students, who will finish the course this week, are from St Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty Hill. The thirteen Year 9 and 10 students meet every Thursday afternoon and have been very enthusiastic about what they have learnt.

Year 10 student, Janna Failagutan, said that the course is a good opportunity for students and something she would not have been able to do otherwise.

‘I wanted to learn how to write my own original song and had done some of my own learning online but this has been a really good opportunity for us,’ said Janna.

Year 10 student, Christian Labrador, said that he had also benefited from the course.

‘I have learnt how to structure songs and this is something I would like to get more involved in, particularly, producing music,’ said Christian.

Kieran hopes to get more schools and students to participate in future courses.

‘I have been really impressed by how the students have embraced the course and believe it gives them a platform to explore and develop their talent, particularly for those students who are interested in songwriting but don’t know where to start,’ said Kieran. ‘The great thing about LEX is that it also has the capabilities for students to take their songwriting further and semi-professionally record in our music studio.’

For more information or to enrol in the songwriting course contact Kieran Wilson: kieran.wilson@parra.catholic.edu.au or at the Learning Exchange on 9677 4315 www.learningexchange.nsw.edu.au

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