More than 30 students from across Orange County joined with instructors and organizers for the county’s first free Fender Play songwriting workshop, held at OC Music & Dance in Irvine. 
Tesoro High School freshman Vivian Murray works with a sound engineer while preparing to record in the studio at OC Music & Dance. 
A Fender Stratocaster rests in the studio as students take part in songwriting sessions at OC Music & Dance. 
Allison Chang of La Quinta High School in the Garden Grove Unified School District received a Fender Acoustasonic Player Jazzmaster guitar in the workshop’s surprise giveaway. 
Students from across Orange County participate in a Fender Play songwriting session at OC Music & Dance in Irvine. 
Students take part in a breakout session during the Fender Play songwriting workshop. 
Students take part in a workshop session at OC Music & Dance during Orange County’s first free Fender Play songwriting workshop 
Tesoro High School freshman Vivian Murray records an original idea in the studio during the Fender Play songwriting workshop at OC Music & Dance. 
Students work through song ideas together during the Fender Play songwriting workshop at OC Music & Dance. 
Students had the chance to step into the recording studio at OC Music & Dance to capture their original songs during the Fender Play songwriting workshop.
Quick look: More than 30 students took part in Orange County’s first free Fender Play songwriting workshop on Saturday at OC Music & Dance in Irvine. The event also launched a new competition inviting local high schoolers to write original songs in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Aspiring young musicians gathered on Saturday for Orange County’s first free Fender Play songwriting workshop for high school students — an event that also introduced a new competition to spotlight student voices in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.
Offered through a partnership between Fender, OC Music & Dance and the Orange County Department of Education, the daylong workshop brought together more than 30 students to learn, create and collaborate through music.
The morning opened with all participants gathered in a black box studio before breaking into smaller sessions. As groups of young musicians explored “Building Sonic Structures,” “Lyric Writing” and “Melody Drafting” with seasoned professionals, piano melodies drifted through the halls of the two-story OC Music & Dance center in Irvine.
Among the participants was 15-year-old Eli Eshet, a sophomore from Tesoro High School in the Capistrano Unified School District, who’s been playing guitar since he was about 6.
“I just play any chance I can,” said Eli, who performs in several groups ranging from free jazz to post-rock. He said he learned of the workshop through a music teacher.
“I thought this was a really interesting program and I really wanted to meet new people, find people to collaborate with and get involved with Fender,” he said. “I think it’s a pretty cool program to have in the area, especially because Orange County is such a big musical epicenter of culture.”
By mid-morning, several students were invited into the facility’s recording studio to begin laying down tracks of original material. Later in the day, a café space was transformed into a jam room.
Vivian Murray, a 14-year-old freshman from Tesoro, was among those who stepped up to record a song she wrote, showcasing her impressive vocals and guitar playing.
Inspired by artists like Taylor Swift and Queen, Vivian said she was excited about the opportunity to build on her songwriting skills, adding that she envisions music as part of her future.
“I can’t imagine life without music,” she said.
Celebrating America’s 250th
The workshop also marked the official launch of the USA 250-OC Theme Song Competition: Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary Through Song.
Co-hosted by OC Music & Dance, USA 250 Orange County and OCDE, the contest invites high school students in grades nine through 12 to compose original songs that celebrate the founding of the United States of America as it approaches its 250th birthday.
Entries must run no longer than 250 seconds — that’s 4 minutes and 10 seconds — and fall into one of eight genres: pop/adult contemporary, rock, hip-hop/rap, country, jazz, R&B/soul, folk or classical.
“There’s no better way to honor America’s 250th anniversary than through the creativity, talent and spirit of our students,” said Julie Hull, coordinator of OCDE’s GATE and National History Day programs.
The top song in each category will receive a cash prize and the chance to be performed live at a countywide July 4 celebration. Students may submit as individuals or in teams of up to three, and winners will have the opportunity to copyright their work.
Elevating student voice
Scott Fitzpatrick, OCDE’s arts coordinator, said he believed this may have been the first countywide songwriting workshop in the state — and certainly the first time a county office of education has partnered with Fender to host one.
“Elevating student voice is key to supporting students’ sense of connectedness and opportunities like the songwriting workshop and competition give us the chance to do just that,” Fitzpatrick said. “Thanks to our great community partners, we are grateful for the songwriting workshop and are now very excited for this songwriting competition.”
Speaking of community partners, participants enjoyed a pizza lunch provided by Arts Orange County, and the day ended with a surprise giveaway of a Fender Acoustasonic Player Jazzmaster guitar, courtesy of Fender. The six-string was gifted to Allison Chang of La Quinta High in the Garden Grove Unified School District.
But there were plenty of other winners on this day. In fact, Cliff Kim, president of the Fender Play Foundation, announced that Fender Play will be available for free to all Orange County schools.
Instruments and inspiration
“We’re proud to bridge traditional music education with modern digital tools,” Kim said. “These workshops prove that when you give young people the right tools and encouragement, their creativity knows no bounds.”
He added that the workshop served as the perfect kickoff to the upcoming songwriting contest sponsored by OCDE, “giving students the skills and confidence they need to compete.”
Fitzpatrick offered up some words of encouragement for students considering the contest — and for others inspired to create music in any form.
“To all OC high school students interested in songwriting, break a leg!”
Submissions to the contest are due to OCDE by Nov. 30. More details are available at link.ocde.us/usa-250-oc.