Motown Museum Plans for Free Youth Songwriting Workshop

A new program from the Motown Museum with immerse Southeast Michigan teens ages in the spirit of Motown, and teach them the basics of songwriting, music production and communication through lyrics. Registration is now open for the Motown Museum Lyric Project, a free two-week workshop happening July 27-Aug. 7.

From home, participants will collaborate with other songwriters and grow through live sessions, clinics and independent coursework. They’ll also learn about the history of protest songs and the role that Motown has played societal change.

Motown Museum Chairwoman and CEO Robin Terry says, “Motown has always been on the forefront of encouraging and empowering social change, amplifying the voices of people and perspectives that need to be heard. This is why we are so excited to offer a program honoring that legacy and attuned to this extraordinary moment in our nation’s history.” 

Terry says, “At a time when conversations about social justice are taking place with new urgency and passion, The Motown Museum Lyric Project is a unique opportunity for aspiring young musicians and lyricists to translate their passions onto the page. As so many legendary Motown artists have demonstrated in memorable fashion, music is unmatched as a tool for social change and self-expression. This program will help participants learn how to translate big ideas and emotions into lyrics and music to influence hearts and minds, and contribute to conversations about the moral and civic perspectives shaping our collective future.”

Motown Museum LP is a part of Hitsville Next, the next phase of the museum’s expansion and campus center for education and community programming. Of the enrollees, 10 will be offered a private session with a singer-songwriter and the opportunity to collaborate with Motown songwriter and producer Brian Holland on Detroit’s “Song for Hope 2020.”

To sign up for Motown Museum LP, visit motownmuseum.org/motown-edu