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ASCAP Songwriters

ASCAP & Psalm One Release “Child Support” – CD to benefit America SCORES

9 Cities, 9 Schools, 12 Songs, 226 Kids, 1 New Album

ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) and America SCORES have teamed up to present the national songwriting mentorship program, ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES. The program was established in 2006 to create collaboration between songwriters and America SCORES poet-athletes utilizing songwriting and music as an engaging and inspiring way for poet-athletes to express themselves. The ASCAP Foundation, a public charity dedicated to supporting music education and talent development programs, funds the program.

As part of the program, ASCAP selects its talented member musicians from a variety of musical genres to teach songwriting workshops during America SCORES after-school poetry workshops. While working with these artists America SCORES poet-athletes gain the confidence to take their poetry and perform them as songs. The students also learn about the importance of labeling their own creative work with the copyright symbol, year and their name just as they would see on any published, professional creative work.  By the end of three sessions, the ASCAP member musician will have co-written and recorded a song with the America SCORES poet-athletes. To further support the program, ASCAP produces a special compilation CD of the songs created, which is distributed to each of the schools involved, as well as to music industry decision makers.

In 2010, the program was taken to new heights with the first ever commercial release of a CD with songs written during the ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES.  The CD featured five tracks written and recorded by The Great Unknown and America SCORES poet-athletes.  Click here to download a free track from the EP. Psalm One is the second artist to embark on a multi-city tour. Psalm One spent three afternoons collaborating, writing and recording an original song with America SCORES students in Milwaukee, Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, New York, Boston, and her hometown of Chicago. All of the proceeds support ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES.

What ASCAP members said about the program:

“I am proud to be able to support the children in my community by participating in ASCAP’s songwriting mentorship program. It has been an incredible experience teaching the students about music, and writing and recording a song with them. More importantly, I feel like I have inspired them and exposed them to a positive, safe alternative to violence, drugs and the other daunting problems they face every day.”
– Alonzo “Zo” Lee, Jr.

“I was thrilled to get the invitation to work with the ASCAP/America SCORES program. I wouldn’t feel right if I wasn’t able to use my talents to inspire or teach. Not many kids get the opportunity to express themselves in a way that makes them feel great. I certainly feel honored to be working with America SCORES and ASCAP. Let’s make some beautiful music!” 
– Psalm One

“When I was young, I didn’t have anyone to inspire me creatively. It wasn’t until I was encouraged to explore my creative side that I discovered my musical talents. This ASCAP/America SCORES program is so important because it shows kids what goes into making a song. So many young people are interested in being an artist, but don’t really know how to write a hit song. It’s great for them to know how creative they can be.”
– Johntà Austin

“I think this opportunity is important because it shows the kids the true origin of the songs they love so much. It also exposes them to opportunities behind the scenes that are important to what they see on TV, hear on the radio, or even see at concerts. I know when I was in school music gave me another option and later in life I was able to experience so much, all because of my passion for music. Writing is therapeutic and can give a child the chance to say things and express themselves about things that they may not be able to tell their parents or friends.”
– Cri$tyle “The Ink” Johnson

“I started writing poetry when I was 12 years old. The first song that I got recorded by an artist, when I was 18 years old, was a poem that I turned into a song. I am extremely excited to share my experience with the kids and I hope that I can be an inspiration to all of them.”
– Erika Nuri

“I’m looking forward to teaching kids that they have their own voice inside them, and they can find it and trust it. That each of their voices matters, that each is important.”
– Mary Gauthier

“This program is amazing. It’s awesome to see how the students really light up and work together in a positive way. You can really see them learn and have fun at the same time. I’ve enjoyed working with the ASCAP/America Scores project immensely. I wish that they had a program like this that lasted throughout the school year. It’s amazing to see how it makes the kids think and create beyond their normal activity.”
– Shawn Clement

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The ASCAP Foundation funds the ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES. The ASCAP Foundation, a public charity dedicated to supporting music education and talent development, is supported by contributions, bequests, and grants from ASCAP members, other Foundations and the general public. We welcome your contributions which are tax deductable to the full extent allowed by law.www.ascapfoundation.org