The Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriting Intensive at Snow Pond Center for the Arts
Project Details
The Johnny Mercer Foundation Songwriting Intensive is an 8-day course and retreat held at Snow Pond Center for the Arts in Sidney, Maine. Each year, 10 young artists are selected for this unique opportunity to learn the fundamentals of contemporary and musical theater songwriting from top industry professionals. This intensive course allows them to further the skills and tools they need to pursue professional careers as songwriters.
The Johnny Mercer Foundation makes it possible to offer this program free of charge to invited participants and offers a stipend to cover most travel expenses.
Check back later for applications to the 2025 program!
When is it?
The camp itself runs from June 12th – 19th, 2024 with travel dates on June 11th and June 20th.
Submissions for acceptance to the program open on October 15th, 2023. They are due no later than February 1st, 2024 and applicants will be notified by March 15th, 2024.
What is provided for selected participants?
The Johnny Mercer Foundation provides funding for each selected applicant to receive free tuition to this intensive course, along with free lodging and all meals for the duration of the course. Additionally, transportation to and from the Maine airport is included, along with up to $500 in travel receipts.
What can be expected from this experience?
This intensive course focuses on the fundamentals of contemporary and musical theater songwriting through a series of tutorials, master classes, workshops, and collaborative writing exercises. The curriculum will also cover the fundamentals of music production, including the basics of DAW (Digital Audio Workplace) and musical arrangement. There will also be some downtime for fun activities on the lake, like swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and campfires!
Our goal is to create an immersive, experiential learning environment for selected young artists to develop their skills through collaboration with each other and established, accomplished professional instructors.
Who can apply?
We welcome submissions from any songwriters who will be 18 years old by June 10th, 2024 and no older than 24 by that same date.
What do I need to submit for consideration?
We require completion of a brief application (which you can find HERE) along with a link to two audio song samples and lyric sheets in any genre.
When do I need to have my submission in by?
Submissions open on October 15th, 2023 and they close on February 1st, 2024.
Applicants will be notified by March 15th, 2024.
