| |
January
Song Challenge - Travel
Bring a new song that is about leaving, coming home, vacations
or life on the road.
|
February
Song Challenge - Valentunes
Bring a new song that tells about a current, past or
fictional love affair. |
March
Song Challenge - News
Bring a new song that is inspired by a news article. |
April
Song Challenge - Work Song
Bring a new song that is based on employment or what people
do for a living. |
| May
Song Challenge - Parenthood
Bring a new song that tells about the trials, tribulations
and/or joys of being a parent. |
June
Song Challenge - History
Bring a new song that deals with a historical event. |
July
Song Challenge - Clap, stomp, howl, sing
Bring a new song that uses audience participation as an element
of the song. |
August
Song Challenge - Friends
Bring a new song that deals with friends and friendships, old
or new. |
September
Song Challenge - That Way Madness Lies...
Bring a new song that is about madness, mental illness or insanity. |
October
Song Challenge - Twist of Fate
Bring a new song that uses a surprise ending. |
November
Song Challenge - Title Book
Bring a new song that starts from a great title or choose a
title from our new "Title Book." |
December
Song Challenge - The Shopping Trip from Hell
Bring a new song that tells about a real or imaginary shopping
trip that goes from bad to disastrous. |
| |
| |
2007
Song Challenges |
January
Song Challenge - Eavesdrop
Bring a new song that uses conversation overheard at a cafe,
coffeehouse, party, etc. |
February
Song Challenge - Tall Tale
Bring a new song that tells a tall tale. Make it a whopper,
yet do your best to make it believable. |
March
Song Challenge - Romantic Comedy
Bring a new song that shows us how love makes us act crazy. |
April
Song Challenge - Band Together
Bring a new song that comes from forming a band with other writers/performers
and have the band write the song as a collaboration (with 3
or more people). |
May
Song Challenge - Ghost Story
Bring a new song that tells a ghost story or uses the dead as
a supernatural character or image in the story. |
June
Song Challenge - Miracles & Magic
Bring a new song that deals with everyday miracles or uses magic.
Make us believe your "make believe." |
July
Song Challenge - Zipper Song
Bring a new song that uses a word or line in the song which
is repeated by the audience, as in "She'll be coming 'round
the mountain when she comes. When she comes." This is similar
to a call and response part of a song. |
August
Song Challenge - Teach Your Children Well
Bring a new song that deals with a parent/child relationship
in some way. Either or both sides can have a voice in the song. |
September
Song Challenge - And Another Thing...
Bring a new song that tells someone off who deserves a good
cutting down to size. |
October
Song Challenge - New Sounds
Bring a new song that uses two new chords you have never used
in a song before. (Swap with other Circle members.) |
November
Song Challenge - Downstream
Bring a new song that uses stream of consciousness rather than
plot to advance the song. Just let the song flow downstream
on its own. |
December
Song challenge - Saints & Angels
Bring a new song that tells about someone who has been a saint
or a guardian angel for you in your life, or a song that uses
these images. |
| 2005
Song Challenges |
January
Song Challenge - Portrait
Bring a new song that is a portrait of a HISTORICAL figure.
|
February
Song Challenge - Tight Lyric
Bring a new song where every word counts. No fillers until the
rhyme comes along, no setting the mood and no preaching at the
end of the song. |
March
Song Challenge - KKFI Fundraiser
Bring a new song that is entertaining yet could be played on
any community radio station as a fund raiser. It should give
the listener a good reason to support the station with money.
|
April
Song Challenge - Foreign Setting
Bring a new song that is set in a foreign country. It may or
may not include words in a foreign language. |
May
Song Challenge - Healing Song
Bring a new song that heals the soul. This should deal with
life's dark side that cuts us down to our knees, in a way that
makes us able to get back up and face the sharp edges again.
|
June
Song Challenge - Collaboration
Bring a new song that is a collaboration with someone. Ideally
the work should be split about 50/50, but it's OK if one person
does the words and one the music. |
July
Song Challenge - 1 Line Refrain
Bring a new song that uses a one-line refrain. The same line
ends each verse and must make sense each time. You may repeat
the line again or have a bridge but no refrain. |
August
Song Challenge - Persona
Bring a new song that uses a different persona. Write from the
viewpoint of a person of the opposite sex, of a much younger
or older person, etc. |
September
Song Challenge - Rhyme Scheme
Bring a new song that uses a formal rhyme scheme that is NEW
for your songs. Try internal rhymes, slant rhymes, relaxed rhymes
or a sestina. |
October
Song Challenge - Work Of Art
Bring a new song that is based on a work of art such as a painting,
play, novel, poem, dance or sculpture. It can be a famous piece
or just something to spark your imagination. |
November
Song Challenge - Round
Bring a new song that can be sung as a round. All three (or
four) elements must be compatible when sung to the same music
at the same time. |
December
Song Challenge - Place
Bring a new song that builds upon a strong connection to a place
or reminisces about a place. |
|
Jump
to 2003
Jump
to 2002
Jump
to 2001
Jump
to 1997-2000
|
|
2004
Song Challenges |
January
Song Challenge - Work Song
Bring a new song that tells about a work issue or is set in
a working situation. |
February
Song Challenge - Collaboration
Bring a new song that is a collaboration with someone. Ideally
the work should be split about 50/50, but it's OK if one person
does the words and one the music. |
March
Song Challenge - Animal Song
Bring a new song that is about an animal or animals in general.
It may also be from the point of view of an animal. It can be
an adult or a children's song. |
April
Song Challenge - Food Song
Bring a new song that is about food. It can be funny or pensive,
high cholesterol or organic, fictional or biographical, we'll
sample them all... |
May
Song Challenge - Story
Bring a new song that tells a story. It should have most of
the basic elements found in a short story, yet stay under seven
minutes.. |
June
Song Challenge - Song In The Hat
Bring a new song that uses a title idea drawn from a hat at
the May Circle Performance night. Everyone will think of a title
and put it in the hat, then we'll all draw one. |
July
Song Challenge - One Word Title
Bring a new song that has a one word title. The title should
be the main anchor for the song. |
August
Song Challenge - Funny Song
Bring a new song that uses humor. It can be a funny story with
a punch line, a funny "what if" situation, a parody
or a combination of each. |
September
Song Challenge - Topical
Bring a new song that uses a topic of a current event as its
main theme. It should be an issue that everyone is aware of,
even if the event may not be well publicized. |
October
Song Challenge - One Verse Song
Bring a new song that uses a simple a,a,a. form as opposed to
a verse, chorus, verse, chorus form. All the lyrics must be
in the first and only verse. There would be no refrain.. |
November
Song Challenge - Conversation
Bring a new song that is sparked by real conversation you have
overheard or a song with dialogue between two people in it. |
December
Song Challenge - On Automatic
Bring a new song that is sparked by automatic writing. Just
write whatever comes into your head for several pages without
any editing. Then use the best images and phrases. |
| |
|
|
January
Song Challenge - Disability Character
Bring a new song that shows a person with a disability in a
positive light. No pity, no cures, just reasonable accommodation.
|
February
Song Challenge - Portrait
Bring a new song that paints a portrait of a fictional individual.
This can be in the first person as a self portrait. |
March
Song Challenge - Parody
Bring a new song that is a parody of a song by a songwriter
you really admire. It must poke fun at the songwriter's style.
This is usually done by exaggeration. |
|
April
Song Challenge - Letter
Bring a new song that is in the form of a letter. It doesn't
need to start with "Dear____". It should be clear
at the beginning that it is a letter. |
May
Song Challenge - Story
Bring a new song that tells a story. It should have most of
the basic elements found in a short story, yet stay under seven
minutes.. |
June
Song Challenge - Collaboration
Bring a new song that is a collaboration with someone. Ideally
the work should be split about 50/50, but it's OK if one person
does the words and one the music. |
July
Song Challenge - Motif
Bring a new song that uses a motif. Each line must begin with
the same word or phrase. |
August
Song Challenge - Persona
Bring a new song that uses a different persona. Write from the
viewpoint of a person of the opposite sex, of a much younger
or older person, etc. |
September
Song Challenge - Children's
Bring a new song that is primarily a children's song. It should
be simple to learn. It should have enough elegance to be of
value to adults as well. |
October
Song Challenge - Newspaper
Bring a new song that is based on a newspaper article. It can
be a real event or one from the likes of the National Enquirer.
|
November
Song Challenge - Death
Bring a new song that tells about someone's death. The person
can be real or imaginary. |
December
Song Challenge - Emulation
Bring a new song that emulates a famous songwriter's style:
Dylanesque, Simonesque, Tayloresque, etc. as long as they are
well known and your song is clearly in their style. |
| |
|
|
January
Song Challenge - Narrow Escape
Bring a new song about a narrow escape. It can be realistic
or a tall tale.
|
February
Song Challenge - Laundry
Bring a new song that uses laundry or washing clothes in it.
|
March
Song Challenge - Restaurant
Bring a new song about a restaurant or one that takes place
in a restaurant. |
April
Song Challenge - The Seasons
Bring a new song that uses all four seasons in it. |
May
Song Challenge - Regretting What I Said
Bring a new song that includes wanting to take back something
you said. |
June
Song Challenge - Dorothy Met Eve
Bring a new song that has two well known characters (from different
stories) meet.. |
July
Song Challenge - Patriotic Song
Bring a new song about your love for your country. |
August
Song Challenge - Secrets
Bring a new song about something kept secret. |
September
Song Challenge - Crimes
Bring a new song about a crime, real or fictional, from anyone's
point of view. |
October
Song Challenge - Modulate
Bring a new song that modulates to a new key, but uses the musical
change to accent a change in the story or between sections of
the lyrics.. |
November
Song Challenge - Heroes
Bring a new song about one of your heroes, or has a character
being heroic. |
December
Song Challenge - The Circle
Bring a new song about the Songwriters Circle. |
| |
|
|
| 2005
Song Challenges |
January
Song Challenge - Portrait
Bring a new song that is a portrait of a HISTORICAL figure.
|
February
Song Challenge - Tight Lyric
Bring a new song where every word counts. No fillers until the
rhyme comes along, no setting the mood and no preaching at the
end of the song. |
March
Song Challenge - KKFI Fundraiser
Bring a new song that is entertaining yet could be played on
any community radio station as a fund raiser. It should give
the listener a good reason to support the station with money.
|
April
Song Challenge - Foreign Setting
Bring a new song that is set in a foreign country. It may or
may not include words in a foreign language. |
May
Song Challenge - Healing Song
Bring a new song that heals the soul. This should deal with
life's dark side that cuts us down to our knees, in a way that
makes us able to get back up and face the sharp edges again.
|
June
Song Challenge - Collaboration
Bring a new song that is a collaboration with someone. Ideally
the work should be split about 50/50, but it's OK if one person
does the words and one the music. |
July
Song Challenge - 1 Line Refrain
Bring a new song that uses a one-line refrain. The same line
ends each verse and must make sense each time. You may repeat
the line again or have a bridge but no refrain. |
August
Song Challenge - Persona
Bring a new song that uses a different persona. Write from the
viewpoint of a person of the opposite sex, of a much younger
or older person, etc. |
September
Song Challenge - Rhyme Scheme
Bring a new song that uses a formal rhyme scheme that is NEW
for your songs. Try internal rhymes, slant rhymes, relaxed rhymes
or a sestina. |
October
Song Challenge - Work Of Art
Bring a new song that is based on a work of art such as a painting,
play, novel, poem, dance or sculpture. It can be a famous piece
or just something to spark your imagination. |
November
Song Challenge - Round
Bring a new song that can be sung as a round. All three (or
four) elements must be compatible when sung to the same music
at the same time. |
December
Song Challenge - Place
Bring a new song that builds upon a strong connection to a place
or reminisces about a place. |
|
Jump
to 2003
Jump
to 2002
Jump
to 2001
Jump
to 1996-2000
|
|
2004
Song Challenges |
January
Song Challenge - Work Song
Bring a new song that tells about a work issue or is set in
a working situation. |
February
Song Challenge - Collaboration
Bring a new song that is a collaboration with someone. Ideally
the work should be split about 50/50, but it's OK if one person
does the words and one the music. |
March
Song Challenge - Animal Song
Bring a new song that is about an animal or animals in general.
It may also be from the point of view of an animal. It can be
an adult or a children's song. |
April
Song Challenge - Food Song
Bring a new song that is about food. It can be funny or pensive,
high cholesterol or organic, fictional or biographical, we'll
sample them all... |
May
Song Challenge - Story
Bring a new song that tells a story. It should have most of
the basic elements found in a short story, yet stay under seven
minutes.. |
June
Song Challenge - Song In The Hat
Bring a new song that uses a title idea drawn from a hat at
the May Circle Performance night. Everyone will think of a title
and put it in the hat, then we'll all draw one. |
July
Song Challenge - One Word Title
Bring a new song that has a one word title. The title should
be the main anchor for the song. |
August
Song Challenge - Funny Song
Bring a new song that uses humor. It can be a funny story with
a punch line, a funny "what if" situation, a parody
or a combination of each. |
September
Song Challenge - Topical
Bring a new song that uses a topic of a current event as its
main theme. It should be an issue that everyone is aware of,
even if the event may not be well publicized. |
October
Song Challenge - One Verse Song
Bring a new song that uses a simple a,a,a. form as opposed to
a verse, chorus, verse, chorus form. All the lyrics must be
in the first and only verse. There would be no refrain.. |
November
Song Challenge - Conversation
Bring a new song that is sparked by real conversation you have
overheard or a song with dialogue between two people in it. |
December
Song Challenge - On Automatic
Bring a new song that is sparked by automatic writing. Just
write whatever comes into your head for several pages without
any editing. Then use the best images and phrases. |
| |
|
|
January
Song Challenge - Disability Character
Bring a new song that shows a person with a disability in a
positive light. No pity, no cures, just reasonable accommodation.
|
February
Song Challenge - Portrait
Bring a new song that paints a portrait of a fictional individual.
This can be in the first person as a self portrait. |
March
Song Challenge - Parody
Bring a new song that is a parody of a song by a songwriter
you really admire. It must poke fun at the songwriter's style.
This is usually done by exaggeration. |
|
April
Song Challenge - Letter
Bring a new song that is in the form of a letter. It doesn't
need to start with "Dear____". It should be clear
at the beginning that it is a letter. |
May
Song Challenge - Story
Bring a new song that tells a story. It should have most of
the basic elements found in a short story, yet stay under seven
minutes.. |
June
Song Challenge - Collaboration
Bring a new song that is a collaboration with someone. Ideally
the work should be split about 50/50, but it's OK if one person
does the words and one the music. |
July
Song Challenge - Motif
Bring a new song that uses a motif. Each line must begin with
the same word or phrase. |
August
Song Challenge - Persona
Bring a new song that uses a different persona. Write from the
viewpoint of a person of the opposite sex, of a much younger
or older person, etc. |
September
Song Challenge - Children's
Bring a new song that is primarily a children's song. It should
be simple to learn. It should have enough elegance to be of
value to adults as well. |
October
Song Challenge - Newspaper
Bring a new song that is based on a newspaper article. It can
be a real event or one from the likes of the National Enquirer.
|
November
Song Challenge - Death
Bring a new song that tells about someone's death. The person
can be real or imaginary. |
December
Song Challenge - Emulation
Bring a new song that emulates a famous songwriter's style:
Dylanesque, Simonesque, Tayloresque, etc. as long as they are
well known and your song is clearly in their style. |
| |
|
|
January
Song Challenge - Narrow Escape
Bring a new song about a narrow escape. It can be realistic
or a tall tale.
|
February
Song Challenge - Laundry
Bring a new song that uses laundry or washing clothes in it.
|
March
Song Challenge - Restaurant
Bring a new song about a restaurant or one that takes place
in a restaurant. |
April
Song Challenge - The Seasons
Bring a new song that uses all four seasons in it. |
May
Song Challenge - Regretting What I Said
Bring a new song that includes wanting to take back something
you said. |
June
Song Challenge - Dorothy Met Eve
Bring a new song that has two well known characters (from different
stories) meet.. |
July
Song Challenge - Patriotic Song
Bring a new song about your love for your country. |
August
Song Challenge - Secrets
Bring a new song about something kept secret. |
September
Song Challenge - Crimes
Bring a new song about a crime, real or fictional, from anyone's
point of view. |
October
Song Challenge - Modulate
Bring a new song that modulates to a new key, but uses the musical
change to accent a change in the story or between sections of
the lyrics.. |
November
Song Challenge - Heroes
Bring a new song about one of your heroes, or has a character
being heroic. |
December
Song Challenge - The Circle
Bring a new song about the Songwriters Circle. |
| |
|
|
January
Song Challenge - Watercolors
Bring a new song that uses watercolors or watercolor painting
in it.
|
February
Song Challenge - Photograph
Bring a new song that is based on a photograph or uses one as
an image in the song. |
March
Song Challenge - Childhood Memory
Bring a new song that is based on a childhood memory of yours.
|
April
Song Challenge - Scat
Bring a new song that uses scat or nonsense syllables as part
of the lyric. (Such as "wac fol the daddy Oh, there's whiskey
in the jar.") |
|
May
Song Challenge - Something Wild
Bring a new song that uses something wild in it or is just
plain wild. |
June
Song Challenge - County Line
Bring a new song that uses a particular county line in it. |
July
Song Challenge - Escalator
Bring a new song that has an escalator in it or uses one as
an image or metaphor. |
August
Song Challenge - 5/4 Time
Bring a new song that is written in 5/4 time, or in a time signature
that you have never written in. |
September
Song Challenge - You're Fired
Bring a new song that is about losing your job from being fired,
downsized, squeezed out or the company going belly up. |
October
Song Challenge - Want Ads
Bring a new song that uses a want ad as part of the song. |
November
Song Challenge - Motif
Bring a new song that uses a motif. Each line must begin with
the same word or phrase. |
December
Song Challenge - Tight Lyric
Bring a new song where every word counts. No fillers until the
rhyme comes along, no setting the mood and no preaching at the
end of the song. |
| |
|
|
