The Band Experience - Registration
WNYC PUBLIC SONG CONTEST WORKSHOP!
THURS/MON/THURS
4/17, 4/21 (6:30pm - 8:30pm)
4/24 (6:30pm - 9:30pm)
🎶 Reimagine the Past, Create Something New—Join Our Public Song Project Workshop! 🎶
Every year, a treasure trove of music, literature, and film enters the public domain, waiting for creative minds to bring it back to life in new and exciting ways. This year, Music Makers is thrilled to reintroduce a one-of-a-kind workshop in collaboration with WNYC’s Public Song Project, inviting musicians of all levels to transform a public domain work into something fresh, innovative, and uniquely their own.
Read More about WNYC's Project!
What You’ll Do:
* Select & Reimagine a Song – We’ll choose a public domain piece and reinvent it with new arrangements, instrumentation, and creative twists.
* Collaborate & Experiment – Work with fellow musicians to explore different styles, structures, and interpretations under the guidance of an experienced musical director.
* Rehearse & Record – Over three sessions, we’ll refine our version and professionally record the final track at Music Makers' studio.
* Submit to the Public Song Project – Your recording will be entered into WNYC’s contest, showcasing your creativity on a public platform.
What Can You Submit?
Your band's song can take many creative forms, including:
* Straightforward Covers – Perform a faithful version of a classic public domain song.
* New Twists on Old Classics – Change the arrangement, lyrics, or genre to give it a fresh spin.
* Remixes & Sampling – Remix sound recordings or films from 1929 or later.
* Poetry as Song – Set public domain poetry to original or public domain music (Langston Hughes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Shakespeare, Kahlil Gibran, Sappho, and more!).
* Storytelling Through Music – Write a song inspired by a public domain book, play, or film—and this year brings some exciting new works into the mix!
New for 2025: Fresh Public Domain Inspiration!
This year, some incredible works have just entered the public domain, meaning you can now freely adapt, reimagine, and put your own musical spin on them!
* Love tragic stories? -- Write a song inspired by A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.
* Dreaming of Paris? -- Reinvent An American in Paris by George Gershwin with a modern groove.
* Feeling playful? -- Put your own twist on Singin’ in the Rain.
* Dive into the surreal? -- Take inspiration from A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf for a poetic, introspective piece.
* Feeling cartoonish? -- Write a punk-rock anthem inspired by Popeye the Sailor!
Your recording could celebrate a work from the past, reimagine it for the present, or challenge its ideas in a modern context. The possibilities are endless!
Why Join?
* Push Your Creativity – This is more than a workshop; it’s an exercise in interpretation, collaboration, and musical exploration.
* Be Part of Something Bigger – Engage with history through art and contribute to a movement that celebrates the power of the public domain.
* A Unique Recording Experience – Walk away with a professionally recorded track and video of the making of your work to share and keep.
* A Live Performance of Your Song? — If everyone is available, you'll be able to perform your song at our next showcase at the Bitter End in June!
Important Dates:
* Song Submission Deadline: April 28th
* Workshop Sign-Up Deadline: March 21st
This workshop is open to all instruments and vocalists—whether you’re a seasoned musician or a passionate hobbyist, your unique style and ideas are welcome!
What Does This Look Like?
Click the link below to see a video of Music Makers last submission for the Public Song Project!
A Lyrical Mashup of Ain’t We Got Fun/Down by the Riverside/The House of the Rising Sun.
Let’s reimagine the past and create something unforgettable! 🚀🎶
Please enter your contact and payment information.
A Music Makers representative will contact you shortly to confirn your registration.
A Music Makers representative will contact you shortly to confirn your registration.
