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Jess Godwin ’01 Returns to Lead Songwriting Unit

Singer and songwriter Jess Godwin ’01 returned to Loyola Academy this spring to work with choir students on a songwriting unit. The unit was designed to give students the opportunity to explore songwriting, Apple’s GarageBand software and basic chord progressions. Together, Godwin and Director of Choirs Mr. Matthew Begale worked to have the students explore their own interests and identity and produce their own piece.
“Everyone had the chance to explore, everyone took risks and we even did some improv,” Begale recalls.

To demonstrate how to create a melody and write song lyrics, Godwin modeled a song for the students. “Jess was our inspiration,” says Begale. “In many ways, she was our muse.”

Then, with Godwin's guidance, the class created a song called "Popsicles" in the spirit of summer.

Also utilizing the GarageBand software, Harper Bischoff ’18 wrote and recorded the song that can be heard below. In the recording, Bischoff is singing her own lyrics and playing her own instruments.
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    • Choir Students Singing "Popsicles"

      Popsicles

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