Student Songwriting Workshop

Student Songwriting Workshop: A Creative Journey with Industry Experts

On Thursday and Friday, the 8th and 9th of August, our students participated in an exciting two-day workshop that provided a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the creative process of songwriting and music production. This workshop, designed to enhance creativity, collaboration skills, and understanding of the music industry, was guided by some of Australia’s most prominent songwriters and producers.

The event began with an insightful session where students delved into the art of songwriting and gained valuable knowledge about the music industry. They had the privilege of learning directly from our visiting mentors: Claire Rayner (Rromarin), Annika Schmarsel (Alice Ivy), and Hayden Lauersen. These artists shared their experiences, offering students a glimpse into the world of professional music-making and potential career pathways in the creative industries.

Claire Rayner, known as Rromarin, is a highly respected vocalist, songwriter, topliner, and vocal engineer based in Melbourne. With over 20 million Spotify streams, Claire has made a name for herself both locally and internationally, working with artists like The Presets and Golden Features. Signed to Warner/Chappell and TMRW Music, her songwriting and performance credits include major festivals and events such as Listen Out and BIGSOUND. Claire brought her expertise in live performance, songwriting, and vocal engineering to the workshop, providing invaluable mentorship to our students.

Annika Schmarsel, also known as Alice Ivy, is an ARIA-nominated songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Since the launch of her Alice Ivy project in 2015, Annika has performed over 300 shows across four continents and has amassed more than 60 million streams worldwide. Her 2020 album, Don’t Sleep, was a critical success, earning nominations for ‘Best Dance Release’ and ‘Engineer of the Year’ at the ARIA Awards. Annika’s contributions to the workshop were especially inspiring, as students learned from her experiences collaborating with a wide range of artists and producing award-winning music.

Hayden Lauersen, one of Melbourne’s most sought-after mix engineers and vocal producers, has worked with artists such as Tentendo, Sophiya, and Woodes. His work has been recognized internationally, played on platforms like BBC Radio 1 and Triple J, and has garnered over 30 million Spotify streams. Hayden’s experience as a live music director, including performances at SXSW in Texas and Splendour In The Grass, added a unique dimension to the workshop, giving students insights into the technical and creative aspects of music production.

After the initial session, students were divided into groups that mixed different year levels, encouraging them to collaborate with peers they might not typically work with. Each group was tasked with writing and composing a complete song within two hours, followed by an hour of rehearsal. The workshop culminated in an inspiring performance where students showcased their original songs to an audience of Year 7 students, visiting teachers, and the artists.

The results were outstanding, with four incredible songs created by the following groups:

                •             Group 1: Sophia, Aziah, Lara, Kaylee

                •             Group 2: Chloe, Padmae, Alex J., Mason

                •             Group 3: Natalia, Mel, Kristian, Charlotte

                •             Group 4: Alex N., Amy, Stef, Teagan

Witnessing our students perform songs they had written in such a short time was truly remarkable. The professional mentorship provided by Alice Ivy, Rromarin, Hayden Lauersen, and our very own vocal teacher, Annie Stone, had a profound impact, inspiring students to push their creative boundaries.

On the second day, the groups spent two hours each with Annika or Hayden, recording their songs using professional-grade equipment. They gained firsthand experience in how these talented producers refine and elevate music with that extra sparkle. Meanwhile, when not recording, students engaged in a deep, insightful, and realistic conversation about the music industry with Claire. For many, this candid discussion was the highlight of the workshop, offering a rare opportunity to ask tough questions and gain a true understanding of how creating music can open doors to various career paths in the industry.

These original songs will be played over the school bells at recess and lunchtime throughout the week, giving everyone a chance to appreciate the incredible talent and creativity of our students. We hope this experience will ignite a lasting passion for songwriting and music production.

Be sure to check out these fantastic songs here too: https://on.soundcloud.com/G8be1P7fXsXgc8fF7