The CEI SOS (SPEAK OUT THROUGH SONG) program is a songwriting residency that provides students with an opportunity to express themselves on major social issues. In this program, students in grades 5-12 collaborate with their peers to choose a community issue, research that issue, formulate a message for social change, and ultimately translate their message into an original song to be produced using professional music software, and performed in a concert.

MUSIC

SOS students learn music skills, concepts and techniques and create a collaborative song, written and produced by the students. In addition, students learn about history and practice of songwriting. The program aligns with NYS Next Generation Learning Standards in social studies and ELA and the NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts.

SOCIAL ACTIVISM

SOS students select a social issue about which they are passionate, research and gain a greater understanding of the issue, and ultimately generate a message for social change that they translate into a social action song.

ACADEMICS

SOS aligns with the middle school social studies curriculum with the study of contemporary social, economic and political issues, and with the ELA curricula as students will write a position piece on a social issue.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING

SOS strengthens students’ social and emotional learning (SEL) skills including peer leadership, collaboration, self-confidence, self-expression, ethical responsibility, and social awareness.

Overall, SOS students will:

• Engage in their social studies curriculum by selecting and researching a social issue

• Address their ELA curriculum by writing lyrics for a complete song

• Generate a message for social change

• Learn music skills

• Perform original songs for an audience

• Gain a sense of social responsibility and an understanding of social activism

• Strengthen collaboration and peer leadership skills