How to Write a Song

Taught by Bridget Kearney (Lake Street Dive) and Bartees Strange with class visits from guest singer/songwriters and music critics, this course is an introduction to the art of writing words for music, an art at the core of our literary tradition from the Beowulf poet through Lord Byron and Bessie Smith to Bob Dylan and the Notorious B.I.G.. Composers, writers and performers will have the opportunity to work in small songwriting teams to respond to such emotionally charged themes as Gratitude, Loss, Protest, Desire, Joyousness, Remorse, and Defiance.

Distribution Area: LA

Prerequisites and Restrictions

Some familiarity with writing and/or music composition/performance.

Other Information

The final presentation will be a public concert of highlights from the semester and will be held at 4:30 p.m. on April 22, 2025.

If you are unable to enroll after your registration date, please join the waitlist. Those who add their name to the waitlist before their registration date will be removed from the list.

If you have questions, please write to Atelier Program Assistant Mindy Solis by email at ms2958@princeton.edu and do not reach out to the faculty members.

 

Faculty

Sections

C01

Tuesdays, 1:30-4:20 PM

Instructor(s)

Bridget Kearney