Explore the Songbook

What is the Songbook?

The Songbook Academy is set apart by its deep appreciation for the Great American Songbook. Not literally a book, it's a collection of enduring and influential songs that serve as the foundation of modern popular music. These American standards resonate across generations and cater to a wide range of musical tastes, inviting young artists to infuse their own unique narrative into these timeless stories.

Our focus

Though the Great American Songbook is ever-expanding, we ask students to focus on songs written between the 1920s and 1960s to dive into the keystone works written by some of the greatest songwriters of all-time – think George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, or Rodgers and Hammerstein – and made popular by legendary artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland. Young artists gain invaluable insights from examining the nuances of this period of music, giving each individual the key to transition seamlessly into different musical styles, from musical theatre to pop and jazz, enriched by a profound understanding of the genres' foundations.

Building an awareness of these roots set by classic American standards is not merely a nod to tradition; it’s a vital building block for any aspiring musician looking to tell a story that resonates with their audience, no matter their path.

New to the Songbook?

You’re not alone! Most students come to us with a passion for a style of music celebrated under the Songbook umbrella, like musical theater or jazz, but they haven’t experienced an environment like the Songbook Academy where they can immerse themselves in these classics. We welcome aficionados as well as first-timers who are looking to add this these songs to their repertoire 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

Resources to Dive Deeper

So, how do you begin to explore this expansive collection of music and find songs that become part of your story?

Dive into our Songbook Selections resource page, featuring more than 500 selections categorized by songwriter or theme, or explore our bounty of specially curated Spotify playlists. Think of this as the first step in your journey and immerse yourself in the Great American Songbook's best-kept secrets!

Once you've heard to the hits, discover how other vocalists peel back the layers of each song. See how past Songbook Academy students unlock the potential hidden inside a lyric – you'll find no two interpretations are ever the same.

Now it's your turn! Choose a song that speaks to you. Say the lyrics out loud, as if you're in a conversation with a friend. How do the words make you feel? Speak them slowly at first, then quickly. Does the story change when you try with joy versus when you're angry or sad? 

Ready to further develop the skills essential to connecting with your audience? Apply to the Songbook Academy and join students from across the nation as they tell their story through the Great American Songbook.

Ready to apply?

Start your application now at songbookacademy.getacceptd.com!

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Connect directly with a staff member at SongbookAcademy@TheSongbook.org.