to The Songbook Academy
Perfect Harmony Music Resources
Contact us for more information:
The Great American Songbook Foundation
317.844.2251
Info@TheSongbook.org
Our Mission
The Great American Songbook Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission
to inspire and educate by celebrating the Great American Songbook.
What is the Songbook
The Great American Songbook is an evolving collection of influential American popular songs and jazz standards. It isn’t a physical book or a fixed list of songs. Many of its foundational songs originated on Broadway, in Hollywood films, and through recordings that brought them into everyday life.
This musical tradition continues today as songwriters create new works and performers bring fresh interpretations to familiar songs. Its lasting appeal lies in melodies, lyrics, and stories that resonate across generations.
At the Songbook Academy®, young singers explore this musical heritage while discovering how songs written generations ago can speak to their own experiences.
The Music We Explore
During the program, we focus on songs written between the 1920s and 1960s, including works by songwriters such as George and Ira Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, and Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Iconic performers like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland helped shape how generations hear this music. Students take inspiration from these artists while developing interpretations that reflect their own voices.
Why Study the Songbook?
The same song can be performed with a swinging jazz feel or as an intimate ballad, with each artist bringing a personal perspective.
At the Songbook Academy, students explore how musical interpretation and storytelling work together. They consider who is speaking, what the lyrics mean, and how to communicate that meaning through their performance.
This work strengthens skills students can bring to musical theatre, jazz, pop, and other styles: understanding a lyric, shaping a musical phrase, and connecting with an audience. Studying the Songbook connects students to musical history while giving them room to develop their individual artistry.
New to the Songbook?
You don’t need extensive experience with this repertoire to apply. Students come to the Songbook Academy with interests in musical theatre, jazz, pop, and other styles. Some already love the Songbook; others are discovering it for the first time.
Bring your curiosity, your love of singing, and a willingness to explore.
Find Your Next Song
The American Songbook is something I still constantly want to learn more about and it has definitely grown into part of my identity as a musician.”
— Maggie McBride, 2026
Our Songbook Selections resource offers more than 500 song ideas organized by songwriter or theme. It’s a starting point for students and educators looking to discover unfamiliar songs, revisit favorites, or expand their repertoire.
Need help finding repertoire or sheet music? Contact SongbookAcademy@TheSongbook.org.
Ready to apply?
Choose two contrasting songs that demonstrate your vocal abilities and storytelling. Great American Songbook repertoire is strongly encouraged; repertoire outside the recommended range will not automatically disqualify your application.
