Songwriting

Learn the art of Songwriting at Codarts in an inspiring learning environment where creativity and professional competence come together. With a curriculum that is centred around the core principles of songwriting, we encourage you to develop your own voice and refine your skills. Our focus is on cultivating a deep understanding of the building blocks of songs, giving you a solid foundation to begin your own artistic journey. 

Why study Songwriting at Codarts?  

At Codarts we believe in a comprehensive approach to songwriting. Spanning all styles and tastes, our balanced curriculum challenges you to develop your analytical skills and gain a deeper understanding of the components of songs.  
 
Our group lessons in songwriting are unique. We teach these classes together with the Creative Production students to create a vibrant and dynamic community where students learn from each other and inspire each other to push their own creative boundaries. You learn solid technical songwriting techniques that are relevant in today's music industry.  
 
Our close ties with the Jazz and World Music departments in the same building offer an exciting learning environment that encourages students to mix and match across different genres and styles. These exchanges provide aspiring musicians with invaluable experience as you build a large network of useful contacts. 

Programme  

We encourage you to continuously work on your creative and analytical skills with a range of creative assignments, group discussions and in-depth analyses of existing songs. Our carefully selected teaching team, including Rachel Louise, Nina Sampermans, Desmond Haneveer and guest teacher Jan Tekstra, shares their insider knowledge and professional experience to help you grow as a songwriter. 
 
The curriculum guides you to develop your own creative voice as you learn about the many different aspects of music production. By collaborating with leading labels, such as Armada Music and BMG Music, you gain real-life experience and the chance to position yourself within the broader music community, while making valuable connections for future opportunities. 
 
We regularly organise internal and external writing camps and masterclasses to connect you with music industry professionals. This enables you to further develop your skills and contributes to Codarts' reputation as the leading institution for songwriting in the Netherlands. 

Tjeerd van Zanen, main subject teacher in Songwriting: “One song can change your life.”