Communicating Sound

Programs for Students in the Arts

As lifelong musicians with musicology backgrounds in higher education, we know the skills it takes to sustain a successful career in the arts. We have designed a range of programs offering dedicated spaces for students to work on arts-specific writing and communications skills. Whether you’re writing a grant application, a press release, or a concert program note, or creating web content and branding, we got you.

Communicating Sound Tracks

A Writing Workshop for High School Musicians

This workshop, developed in collaboration with percussionist and music educator Chris Graham, is designed to help young musicians become better writers and communicators.

A Multidisciplinary Pre-College Arts Seminar

This series uses the arts as a lens for thinking critically about the performing arts, culture, and society. You will leave with the communications skills you need to succeed in college.

A Professional Writing Workshop for College Musicians

Audience creation and community engagement are important for professional musicians to master. This workshop run by two musicologists will teach you the real-world writing and communications skills to succeed as working composers and musicians.

What Our Students Are Saying…

“One thing I got out of this is not just being able to talk to non-musicians but being able to talk to a broad audience, so being able to make things simple enough for non-musicians to understand but also including enough detail so people with more of a musical or technical background can still get something out of it and it's not too "dumbed down" for them. It's really surprisingly hard to strike that balance.”

— John, Communicating Sound student

“Something I never really thought about before is that there's different ways to talk about music depending on your audience.”

— Ben, Communicating Sound student

“I learned how to create a website, and write a bio for myself. I learned that I do not need to have a lot of actual musical knowledge to get ideas across and it is possible to communicate with musicians and non musicians at the same time.”

— Communicating Sound student

“I think it's always cool to have a room full of musicians and talk about things like arts advocacy.”

— Elisha, Communicating Sound student

“I didn't start with music until I was older and I didn't have the most solid start in music, so I understand how it feels to not understand what a musician is talking about. What I've learned is how to tailor my language to non-musicians, and I also practiced by talking to my family, because none of them are musicians.”

— Christian, Communicating Sound student

“When applied to things that I can relate to, history can be really enjoyable.”