Music Will’s National Student Songwriting Exhibition gives young people a place to write, share, and grow through original music. With support from educators, artists, and music industry professionals, students can develop their ideas, receive meaningful feedback, and begin seeing themselves as songwriters.
Every Song Starts Somewhere
Whether it begins with a lived experience, a feeling, a dream, a line written in a notebook, or a melody that won’t leave your head, a song always starts with something.
Music Will’s National Student Songwriting Exhibition gives students a place to take that first idea further. The annual program invites young people to write and share original music in a supportive national showcase. Some participants enter with years of experience. For others, it is the first song they have ever written or created with an ensemble.
The Exhibition isn’t about finding the “best” song among the submissions. The goal is to give developing songwriters and music students space to explore their ideas, along with the encouragement, tools, and audience to keep creating.
Why Songwriting Belongs in the Classroom
Songwriting is a powerful tool for student learning and social-emotional development. Writing an original song requires active listening, creative decision-making, reflection, revision, collaboration, and sometimes the courage to perform. It teaches students how to transform personal experiences into a language others can hear, feel, and understand.
The National Student Songwriting Exhibition also gives students a meaningful classroom goal. Music Will provides songwriting curricula and classroom resources that guide students through the creative process, including activities for listening, writing, revising, and responding to original music. Rather than solely studying established artists, students engage with original work created by their peers.
Teachers can access virtual songwriting masterclasses before the Exhibition to help prepare their students. Music Will hosted educator, author, Berklee College of Music professor, and songwriter Kat Reinhert, who shared practical strategies for overcoming creative blocks, developing ideas, and completing songs.
A Growing National Community of Student Songwriters
The National Student Songwriting Exhibition has grown quickly. In 2025, Music Will showcased 47 student entries. In 2026, more than 200 original compositions arrived from young music makers and educators across the country.
Each submission represents a different voice and a different reason for writing. Students submit songs in many styles and at different stages of development, from intimate demos to full arrangements and music videos. Together, the entries show that there is no single way for a young songwriter to sound.
Music Will’s “In Their Words” video series shares participants’ song stories. In one installment, student songwriter Seri explains how writing helped her navigate growing up, when you are no longer a child, yet not quite an adult.
Lindsay’s original song “Pretty Boy” is one example of how far a student can take an idea. Lindsay paired the song with a self-created music video, extending its story through images as well as music.
Beyond recognition, the Exhibition provides life-changing opportunities. Students like Chloe and Malia were given the chance to record their original songs in professional studios. These immersive sessions showed the impact of giving young artists dedicated time, professional resources, and meaningful validation.
Completing a song is an achievement, but sharing its meaning can be just as powerful. It helps students see themselves not only as learners, but as songwriters with voices of their own.
Connecting Students With the Music Industry
Sharing original work can feel vulnerable, especially for a young person who may not have songwriting experience. That is why feedback is a central part of the Exhibition.
Every participant receives personalized written feedback from a panel of artists, songwriters, producers, higher education music professors, and industry professionals. In 2026, Callie Twisselman, Christopher Ardra, multi-platinum producer Brandon Korn, Hendrick Douglass, Annie O’Malley, and ADH were among the professionals who listened and responded to students’ work.
Select participants also joined small virtual sessions with Suzi, Jack Barksdale, Justin Nozuka, Erin Kirby, and Brother Wallace. These intentionally intimate sessions gave students time to receive specific advice, ask questions, and talk with working artists about their creative choices.
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Music Will partnered with EVEN for “Empowering Emerging Artists: Distributing & Marketing Your Original Work,” a free virtual industry session for students, educators, and emerging artists. The conversation offered a behind-the-scenes look at releasing music, connecting directly with listeners, and building a path for original work after the final mix is complete.
Together, the artist feedback sessions and EVEN masterclass showed students how a song can move from writing and revision to recording, distribution, and audience engagement.
The core mission is not to make every participant a career musician. It is to meet young artists where they are and support their growth. The process helps students refine their lyrics, arrangements, and compositions. Most importantly, it builds their confidence to express their unique perspectives.
A National Student Songwriting Listening Party
The 2026 National Student Songwriting Exhibition culminated in a special listening party and songwriting masterclass with Grammy-winning artist Allison Russell and songwriter and producer JT Nero, hosted by Music Will’s Mary Claxton.
Russell and Nero listened to student originals including “Pretty Boy,” “Alright Sunshine,” and “Let Me Be Me.” Their responses offered insight into song structure, storytelling, and the creative process, but the most meaningful part was their attention. They treated each submission as real creative work worthy of careful listening.
The connection between students and working artists is a crucial part of the Exhibition. Industry professionals provide specialized knowledge that can be difficult to replicate in a classroom. More importantly, they offer young creators validation and affirm that their personal stories deserve an audience.
Listen, Encourage, and Get Involved
The National Student Songwriting Exhibition brings together students, educators, artists, and supporters who believe young people deserve opportunities to create, express themselves, and share their experiences.
Educators can integrate the Exhibition into their classrooms using Music Will’s guided listening tools. Artists and industry experts can provide feedback, mentorship, studio space, and career insights. Partners and supporters can help expand Music Will’s reach, equipping more students to compose, record, and distribute their own music.
Most importantly, anyone can listen.
Explore the 2026 Songwriting Exhibition, hear the stories students chose to tell, and leave a word of encouragement. For a young songwriter sharing original work, knowing that someone listened can make all the difference.
Explore the 2026 Songwriting Exhibition Listening Map.
Explore Music Will Academy’s songwriting courses and music industry sessions.
