In September of 2021, six intrepid students – two adults and four youths – embarked on their Songwriting Series adventure at area music school, Music Compound. The class members – including Music Compound owner Jenny Townsend, Daniel Jittu, Rhys Kallins, Gabrielle Kozel, Aimee Mongiovi and Cahan Raymond – will perform the resulting original tunes during Music Compound’s monthly member concert at its Cattlemen location (1751 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota) on Friday, January 21 at 6 p.m.
Also performing during the concert will be seasoned songwriters who began their musical journeys at Music Compound: Luis Buenrostro, Kaitlyn Hornung and Jennifer Msumba.
One of our Songwriter Showcase participants, Daniel Jittu – along with instructor Iain Harris – were featured on “Suncoast View” on Valentine’s Day. Daniel wrote a love song for his wife and performed it, with her on stage, during the showcase. Watch the segment here: https://www.mysuncoast.com/video/2022/02/14/husband-love-song-wife-inspired-by-suncoast-view-suncoast-view/
The series was led by Music Compound instructor Iain Harris, a musician who earned his Bachelor’s degree in Literature, with other instructors joining classes for additional support and information. The participants dedicated themselves to weekly sessions that took them through the creative process and provided live performance tips as well as gave them the opportunity to collaborate and meet industry leaders. The goal of the showcase is to highlight the creative process of songwriting as well as recognize the growth of the students.
Townsend, who will be performing her original song “New Day,” was inspired to participate in the Songwriting Series as a challenge to herself to step out of her comfort zone.
“It takes a lot of courage to perform in front of an audience, even more so when the material is something you’ve written yourself,” said Townsend. “Music Compound instructors and students put themselves on the line every day that they’re here or performing during an event; I have always admired those with musical talent and the guts to perform and decided it would be beneficial to gain an insider’s perspective on the entire process. It’s been a wonderful and enlightening experience so far!”
Music Compound will offer Songwriting 101 from February 1 through April 12, with a showcase on April 15. Classes meet on Tuesdays, 7-8:15 p.m. Further information and registration can be found here.
The concert on January 21 is free and open to the public; the setting will be intimate for the artists and their fans. For more information, visit musiccompound.com.
