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Words & Music For Schools

Teach Language Arts Through Lyric Writing

Students Explore the Art of Lyric Writing

Since 1979, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has helped students tell their stories through its innovative Words & Music program. More than 150,000 students have learned to write song lyrics while developing key skills in language arts. Not only does Words & Music teach core curriculum, but it also connects young people to Nashville’s music community, pairing classes with songwriters who transform student lyrics into finished songs that are performed in an interactive workshop. Words & Music has been featured in the LA Times, on the TODAY Show, and more.

Words & Music Overview

 

 

Programs and Resources

Grades 3-6
Words & Music

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Grades 7-12
Words & Music

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Grades 1-12
Songwriting 101

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Pre-K—K
Words & Music for Early Learners

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46th Annual Words & Music Night

Over the past year, the Museum’s Words & Music program helped thousands of students put their thoughts, feelings, and ideas into songs. Words & Music Night features a selection of those songs written by students in Nashville and surrounding areas.

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Words & Music Night 2025

Journey of a Song

A space for writers at all levels to learn about songwriting, anytime, anywhere. Words & Music: Journey of a Song is a five-episode series that follows four teenaged students on their journey to write, record, and perform their own original songs. Use the step-by-step guide to write your original song.

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2024-2025 Words & Music Funders

Visit the sponsor's websites National Endowment for the Arts Logo
Tennessee Arts Commission Logo

Words & Music is made possible by the Country Music Association Endowment for Words & Music and is funded in part by American Airlines; Chet Atkins Music Education Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee; CMA; CMA Foundation; Dollar General Literacy Foundation; Don Gibson American Music Foundation; The Hello in There Foundation; The Memorial Foundation; Metro Arts; Middle Tennessee Electric SharingChange; Nashville Predators Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; PNC Grow Up Great; and the Tennessee Arts Commission.