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Explore the Songbook

 

What is the Songbook?

What sets the Songbook Academy apart is its deep appreciation for the Great American Songbook, which is not literally a book, but a term describing a collection of enduring and influential songs that resonate across generations and serve as the foundation of modern popular music. These songs, often referred to as “American Standards,” cater to a wide range of musical tastes and offer the opportunity for young artists to infuse their own unique narrative into these timeless stories.

 

Our focus

Though the Songbook is ever-expanding, we ask students to focus on songs written between the 1920s and 1960s as an opportunity to dive into the unrivaled works written by some of the greatest songwriters of all-time like George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, and Rodgers and Hammerstein and made popular by legendary artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, to name a few. The insights gained from the Great American Songbook enable young artists to transition seamlessly into different musical genres, from musical theatre to pop and jazz, enriched by a profound understanding of their foundations.

 

Understanding these roots is not merely a nod to tradition; it’s a vital building block for any aspiring musician, no matter their path.

New to the Songbook?

 

You’re not alone! Most of our students come to us with a passion for a particular musical style celebrated under the Songbook umbrella, like musical theater or jazz, but they haven’t experienced an environment like the Songbook Academy where they can dive deep into this classic repertoire. We welcome Songbook aficionados as well as students who are looking to add this repertoire to their book for the very first time.

 

 

 

“I've learned so much about myself, my voice, and new styles of music that I love.”

– Sophia Beers (’23), Glendale, California

 

 

“I already love the Great American Songbook with my whole being, and my week here has only grown that love.”

– Luke Pirruccello (’23), Los Angeles, California

 

Songbook Resources

So, how do you begin to explore this expansive collection of music and find the songs you are interested in adding to your repertoire? Access our Songbook Selections resource page, featuring more than 500 selections categorized by songwriter or theme. This is a starting point designed for students and music educators who are looking to start their journey or dive deeper into the Great American Songbook for music inspiration! Access our Songbook Selections.

 

Ready to apply?

Learn more about our application process or start your application now at songbookacademy.getacceptd.com.