Kids’ Kreations Songwriting Workshops (Elementary)

Tom Acousti cut his teeth co-writing songs with kids for Kid Pan Alley workshops in 2004-5.  Since then, he has continued to hone and expand that craft working with all ages in slightly different workshop formats. 

In the younger grades, songs are written quickly in a very “live” and exciting singing environment.  Afterwards, optional professional recordings can be produced.

“The kids were guided into creating a polished and professional product that you usually only find in the media.  It was really an exciting moment for them”
Teacher, David Lagraffe
Hall Elementary School

“Some of the things you were doing with them lined up exactly with what they were doing in English class”
Teacher, Andrea Wollstadt
Dayton Elementary School

“All the ideas came from the kids.   At the end they were so proud of the work that they’d done, and surprised, I think!”
Teacher, Vicky Stubbs

“Girls and Boys Together” was written by Tom Acousti with Martin Swinger and Ms. Snyder’s class at the Fred P. Hall Elementary School, Portland, Maine while in a Kid Pan Alley Residency.

Girls and Boys Together – Classroom Recording

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Girls and Boys Together – Professionally Produced - Lyrics

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“Brand New Teacher” was written by Tom Acousti with Paul Reisler and Mrs. Rogers 3rd grade, Francis Elementary, Richmond VA while in a Kid Pan Alley Residency.

Brand New Teacher - Lyrics

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Watch Kids Kreating!

Tunes & Tech (Grades 6 – 8)

Tom Acousti cut his teeth co-writing songs with kids for Kid Pan Alley workshops in 2004-5.  Since then, he has continued to hone and expand that craft working with all ages in slightly different workshop formats. 

Working closely with Foothills Summer Arts camp in Farmington, Maine, Tom has developed a special program for middle school students.  The workshop includes both individual and group hands-on experience with songwriting as well as music production.

Welcome to Wal-Mart - Lyrics

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Falling From a Dream - Lyrics

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Foothills of Love - Lyrics

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Shut Up and Listen - Lyrics

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The Last Impression - Lyrics

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P.A.T.H.S. (Portland Arts & Technology High School)

High School Arts Academy/Adult Ed

Since 2004, Tom Acousti has served as Artist-in-Residence to The Arts Academy at PATHS (Portland Arts & Technology High School) Music Program developing an experiential Pro Tools based music production program.  Each year, students learn the ins and outs of making great recordings ending in a full-length student-made CD.

Music at The Arts Academy is one of two specialized high school programs offered by Portland Schools (Modern Dance is the other).  Three components are taught… Theory, Performance, and a dedicated Recording Arts curriculum.  Each year the program selects an eclectic variety of talented students from 23 surrounding schools, to enroll in a two-year, ½ day track.  The Academy’s modern, experiential, and community-integrated approach is unique in Southern Maine.  Each program is taught by a Lead Teacher, Artists-in-Residence, and professional artists drawn from our own community.  Alumni of this program have gone on to Berklee College of Music, New England School of Communication, Carnegie Mellon Univ., Full Sail Recording Arts, Univ. of Florida, and performing careers in music.  For more information visit www.paths.portlandschools.org or email Lead Teacher, Victoria Stubbs – stubbv@portlandschools.org

Sample Clips from High School Students’ work at The Arts Academy:

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SongShop Songwriting Workshops (Adults)

SongShop is a structured workshop developed by professional songwriter/teacher, Tom Acousti.  These workshops have been carefully designed to help students move from beginning/intermediate songwriting toward discipline of consciously combining craft with art.  Although Songshop uses a strong teaching method, it does not encourage formula songwriting.   But you can and will write better songs.  SongShop is guaranteed to drive you to set new, higher, standards for yourself AND to provide the right tools with which to meet those standards. More about SongShop  (pop up this in new window?):

Private SongShop coaching is also available.
For info: Email to SongShop@TomAcousti.com

Also visit our Music Production page to listen to some results.  These artists have all taken a SongShop Class and/or studied privately with Tom.

Joe Farren, John Paul, Billy D, Sue Sheriff, Eli Noll, Ralph Graceffa (of the band, Marion Grace)

Full Course Description

What Participants Have to Say of SongShop:

“SongShop has given me a marker to hold my songs up to and highlight exactly where and what is not quite working instead of just instinctually knowing s om et hing is off.”
Janice O'Rourke

“An audience wants to be entertained, left wanting more… How do you g et your message across in a format they will remember and y et r et ain your individual voice? Ah Ha.............SongShop.”
Phil Daligan

“SongShop gave me a new lens to look at my Songwriting through and tools to write more c om pelling songs.”
Amy Therrien

“Tom's 10 truths of songwriting is what influenced me most. That is what is most engrained in me 'post-workshop'. I now pay more attention to the ‘world behind the words'.”
Eric Carey

Private Instruction (SongShop or Pro Tools/Production)

Tom Acousti and/or the Sound Harbor Studios engineering team can often make themselves available for private instruction in songwriting, music production techniques, or Pro Tools.  Hourly rates are similar to production rates and can include the studio if appropriate.