Supporting music education is a cornerstone of the Recording Academy, and as Music In Our Schools Month approaches in March, the GRAMMY Museum announced initiatives to continue uplifting students and encouraging music career exploration.

The GRAMMY Museum launches its 3rd Annual GRAMMY In The Schools Fest from March 6-10, 2023, marking the first time the event will take place in-person in Los Angeles. The free festival will feature everything from artist performances and educational panels, to workshops featuring artists and industry professionals. Registered students can access free lesson plans and study guides, and the festival will also be streamed online for free on COLLECTION:live, the GRAMMY Museum's streaming platform. Students can register for the festival here.

Starting Feb. 27, a new online resource called The Learning Hub will become available on COLLECTION:live for free. As the GRAMMY Museum's premiere platform for music education, The Learning Hub will feature videos from former GRAMMY In The Schools Fests, Careers Through Music, and so many more sessions that will be added regularly. View the collection here.

The GRAMMY Museum will begin hosting the six-week Industry SESH program on March 13, 2023, which aims to educate adults and students about the music industry. The program will offer sessions on music production, music business, artist development, and songwriting.

Every Thursday of March 2023, the GRAMMY Museum will also host weekly workshops through a partnership with the Musician's Institute. View the schedule, which features workshops such as "Creating Ableton Live Loops and The Drum Set," "World Beat Rhythms," and "A Pop Lyric Writing Workshop."

During Music In Our Schools Month, high schoolers interested in music careers can apply for GRAMMY Camp. Held July 16-22, 2023, GRAMMY Camp allows students to apply for one of eight offered career tracks taught by music professionals. This is the first year the camp expands to seven days. Students can apply to attend GRAMMY Camp through March 31, 2023.

Applications for the Music Education Award are also open during Music In Our Schools Month. The Music Education Award honors one music teacher annually for their impact on students' lives; the recipient receives a $10,000 honorarium for themselves as well as a matching grant for their school. The deadline to nominate a teacher for next year is March 15, 2023, though teachers do not need to be nominated in order to apply. Teachers can apply for the award here before March 31, 2023. 

Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Launches The Nicky Jam Scholarship For Music Students In Need

For more than half a century, the Songwriters Hall of Fame has honored and celebrated the greatest songwriters and composers of our time.

The GRAMMY Museum's The Power of Song: A Songwriters Hall of Fame Exhibit lauds the work and legacy of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and explores the mysteries behind the making of great music. The newly expanded traveling exhibit launches at the GRAMMY Museum on April 26 and will run through Sept. 4.

Through artifact displays, an original film, and interactive experiences, The Power of Song: A Songwriters Hall of Fame Exhibit, examines the songwriter's creative process, tells the stories of great songwriters — all of whom are Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees or Special Award recipients — and digs deep into the celebrated compositional works that make up the American music treasury.

Curated by Jasen Emmons — the GRAMMY Museum's Chief Curator & VP of Curatorial Affairs — and Kelsey Goelz, GRAMMY Museum's Associate Curator, the exhibit pays tribute to artists who have significantly contributed to America's rich songwriting legacy.

The GRAMMY Museum has an ongoing collaboration with the Songwriters Hall of Fame and served as one of its physical homes since 2010. This partnership resulted in the curation and launch of this traveling exhibition, which illuminates the art of songwriting and offers an inside look at the creative process behind popular songs. 

Originally launching at CUNY Graduate Center in New York this past summer, the newly expanded exhibit opening in Los Angeles includes several new, never-before-seen artifacts representing the careers of songwriters such as Tom Petty, Allee Willis, the Songwriters Hall of Fame's current Chairman and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Nile Rodgers, and many more.

It also includes interactive content where visitors will be able to explore a sprawling database of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees and choose between several “song spotlights” to hear renowned songwriters explain the origins of a song.

Highlights from The Power of Song: A Songwriters Hall of Fame Exhibit include:

• An original exhibit film featuring songwriters Jimmy Jam, Toby Keith, Carole King, Smokey Robinson, Carole Bayer Sager, and Diane Warren, sharing insights about their creative process.

• A songwriting interactive featuring Toby Keith, Carole King, Smokey Robinson, and Don Schlitz, each dissecting one of their hit songs.

• A piano owned by George Gershwin – one of three pianos that he commissioned during his career.

• Handwritten lyrics and other songwriting artifacts representing the creative work of inductees Desmond Child, Hal David, Steve Dorff, Lamont Dozier, Will Jennings, Holly Knight, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Henry Mancini, John Mellencamp, Alan Menken, Cole Porter, Taylor Swift, and others.

Learn more about The Power of Song: A Songwriters Hall of Fame Exhibit and advanced ticket reservations for the exhibit.

New Shakira Exhibit At GRAMMY Museum Visualizes The Colombian Superstar's Voracious Creative Appetite & Global Influence

Jason Mraz has been a renowned singer/songwriter for years — and now, he's taking a big stride in his efforts to boost music education.

Enter the GRAMMY Museum's Sunday Brunch With… is a new fundraising event series in support of the Museum's GRAMMY In The Schools education programs.

Launching the inaugural Sunday Brunch, the Museum is thrilled to team up with Mraz and the renowned VERSE LA, located in Toluca Lake, for a morning of great music and food. Guests will dine on a three-course brunch while enjoying music performed by a jazz trio put together by a GRAMMY In The Schools education program alumni. 

Following the meal, guests will be treated to a rare, up close, and personal 45-minute performance from two-time GRAMMY winner Jason Mraz to close out the afternoon.

This inaugural event is presented by Union Bank and generously supported by VERSE LA, which is owned by long-time GRAMMY Museum supporter and 17-time GRAMMY Award-winning mixer, Manny Marroquin. Proceeds from the event will benefit the GRAMMY Museum's music education programs, which annually impact more than 35,000 K-12 students and teachers across the country.

For tickets and more info, click here — and we'll see you at what will undoubtedly be a soul-nourishing event in service to all who desire a music education!

5 Can't-Miss Panels At GRAMMY In The Schools Fest 2023

Music education can be found across the country, but Senn High School on the North Side of Chicago provides a variety of special opportunities for its students. From talented student performance groups and a music technology program, to leadership by GRAMMY Music Educator Award finalist Trevor Nicholas, SHS stands out.

In celebration of Music In Our Schools Month, the Recording Academy's Chicago Chapter Board made a special visit to Senn High on March 2. During their visit, Board members provided industry insight and guidance to "Mr. Nick's" students, and even learned a thing or two themselves. 

Throughout the whole month of March, the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum are honoring music education and educators through programs like GRAMMY In The Schools Fest. Whether you're in Chicago or reading from elsewhere,  these takeaways are relevant to music educators and students everywhere. 

A Thriving Environment From Rehearsal To Performance 

Board members caught the end of the SHS' choir rehearsal, led by Nicholas. The educator emphasized the importance of enjoying the art of performing and maintaining high energy — a lesson the enthusiastic choir had obviously taken to heart. 

For the choir students' performance later that day, Nicholas orchestrated moments in the show where students could demonstrate both strong unified moments and complex, layered sections involving intricate lyrics and overlapping melodies. He also had one of his students conduct a piece, providing an opportunity to have a student get out of their comfort zone in a rewarding environment.

While it is important to play the notes on the page, Nicholas said he strives to provide an environment where his students can also have fun and feel inspired to grow and improve in their craft, whether in the classroom or on stage.

Embrace Your Self-Worth 

After the performance from Mr. Nick’s choir, members of the Chicago Board shared wisdom from their experiences in the music industry and beyond. The professionals included touring Broadway bassist Stacy McMichael to six-time Apollo-winner Tarrey Torae, to GRAMMY-winning poet J. Ivy. 

A common message of the day was empowering the students to embrace themselves and their self-worth. GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, violinist and composer Susan Voelz emphasized the importance of music as a language, with everyone having their own unique voice. "No one is going to sound like you, and that’s what people want to hear." 

Drummer Tammy Hurt, who serves as the Chair of the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees, gave a similar message about individualism. She told students to use their voices to create change, and to not "let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do."

Experimentation Can Happen Anywhere 

Following the end of the panel, students and the Chicago Board members made their way to Mr. Nick’s classroom for a Q&A in small groups. There, the Board members were able to talk more personally about their experiences and provide career advice specific to the interests of SHS’ music students. 

The students learned the importance of experimentation from Matt Hennessy, a local producer and owner of VSOP Studios. Hennessy shared how, in his experience, the barrier to entry for audio production is minimal — all you need is a recording device and your instrument. 

He encouraged students to experiment by placing the recording device at various points in the room, moving between rooms, or even just putting different items in a space. Trying different placements allows you to explore how acoustics work and create a unique sound. 

If You Have Ideas, Get Them Out There 

When it comes to creating or remixing, GRAMMY-winning DJ and producer Terry Hunter has a deep knowledge base. He also knows what it's like to sit on ideas.

Hunter emphasized how important it is to "make your folders empty" — that is, don’t let a project or a fully produced song sit on your computer forever. Get your work into the world and, once it's released, take any criticisms in your stride and use those to make improvements to your work.  

Hunter added  that the more you improve, and the more authentic you are in your music, the more likely you are to garner fans and attention. It’s more important to build a small, dedicated fanbase of 1,000 than to try and go viral. From then on, the fans will follow you and any crazy, new ideas you have. 

Reflecting on his experience in the more  analog age in music, where DJs often carried heavy stacks of records everywhere, Hunter praised the opportunities technology can bring. Between the accessibility to produce anything for cheap, and how much easier it is to popularize subgenres online, the possibilities are endless. 

Music Technology Can Inspire Student Artists 

Senn High School has a one-of-a-kind music technology program that gives the students the freedom to experiment and explore endless possibilities Through their brand-new "electroacoustic” program, students are given the access to experiment soundboards, electric guitars and MIDI keyboards; digital audio workstations (DAWs) enable students to tinker with sound and let their creativity shine in a classroom setting. 

The program also has a strong emphasis on collaboration. The students are put into bands where they collaborate on projects. One week they could be taking riffs from existing songs and creatively manipulating them in "riff puzzles," the next they could be working on an original work from scratch. Using cloud-based free DAWs, the students can collaborate on a track online, in real time. 

While this program is in its first year at Senn High School, the impact has already been instant and immense. Students can pursue their interests in music production, while also learning the importance of collaboration in the music industry. Many students have continued to work with their bands on other projects outside of the curriculum. 

Invite Students To Share Their Knowledge

Senn High School students shared their experiences with MIDI keyboards, and the way that they can manipulate sounds in ways some Chicago Chapter Board members hadn’t seen before. The students also discussed their creative endeavors, from learning new instruments in their own time, to what kind of poetry and lyrics they were writing on the train. This showcases the students’ inventiveness and drive to learn, even outside the classroom. 

The students were also some of the most supportive groups of creatives out there. As they engaged with the Board members, there was passion and inspiration in their eyes. Beyond that, there was a mutual understanding of each other and their own creative endeavors. They never let their peers understate the importance or greatness of what they are accomplishing. With this group of high schoolers at the front, the future of music is bright. 

5 Can't-Miss Panels At GRAMMY In The Schools Fest 2023

Kicking off Music In Our Schools Month, the GRAMMY Museum is proud to host its third annual GRAMMY In The School Fest in support of music education.

The festival will take place this year from Monday, March 6 to Friday, March 10, and all programs are free for students who register in advance. Events are offered both in-person at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles as well as virtually via livestream.

From a Guest Artist Session with Baby Tate and NLE Choppa to a World Beat Rhythms Workshop, this free festival aims to inspire and make music education accessible as possible. Learn about everything from the history of hip-hop to the power of music therapy to audio engineering and creative production.

This year's lineup features other artists and industry professionals such as Catie Turner, Chase Atlantic, Drebae, IDK, Justin Tranter, MAJOR., Marq Hawkins (DJ CLI-N-TEL), Moore Kismet, and renforshort.

Below, read about the week's five key panels you won't want to miss. Register for them and other panels here.

Women In Music Career Panel

Monday, March 6, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

March marks not only Music In Our Schools Month, but also celebrates Women's History Month. In this Q&A session honoring the intersection of these themes, listen to inspiring stories and insider advice from women working in the music industry. The panel features executives from organizations such as the Music Forward Foundation, Guitar Center Company, and Roland Americas.

History of Hip-Hop & The Hip-Hop Experience

Tuesday, March 7, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. PST

From music to fashion to dance, hip-hop's impact on culture has been monumental. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the genre, learn from GRAMMY Museum's panel of singer-songwriters, record producers, and company founders, featuring Jason Mills (professionally known as IDK), Marq Hawkins (professionally known as DJ Cli-N-Tel), and Larrance Dopson.

Shakira Exhibit Tour & Non-Profit Spotlight – Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation)

Thursday, March 9, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. PST

What's it like to tour with Shakira? Hear from musicians Joe Ayoub, Grecco Buratto, and Adam Zimmon, who have toured and closely worked with the GRAMMY Award winner, in a conversation focusing on the powerful impact of Latin music. Later, take a special tour through GRAMMY Museum's brand new exhibit, Shakira, Shakira, led by the museum's Chief Curator & Vice President of Curatorial Affairs, Jasen Emmons.

Music Therapy Panel

Friday, March 10, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. PST

Whether it brings you serenity or euphoria, music flows as a cathartic and healing force for many — especially in the entertainment industry. In this Q&A focusing on the gravity of mental health, hear important advice and reflections from music therapists, mental health entrepreneurs/educators, and musicians alike.

Guest Artist Session ft. Justin Tranter

Friday, March 10, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. PST

Your favorite song might have been written by Justin Tranter. Having worked with everyone from Ariana Grande to Måneskin to Justin Bieber, the GRAMMY-nominated songwriter joins the festival lineup to share insight on their decades-long experience in the music industry. Tranter writes songs for not only music, but also film, television, and theater — most recently, they've served as the executive music producer and songwriter for upcoming Grease prequel series, Rise of the Pink Ladies.

Register for GRAMMY In The Schools Fest here.

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