Kid Pan Alley: Home
WHAT IS KID PAN ALLEY?
Imagine what it is like to be a child writing a song in their classroom with a professional songwriter. And suppose that your song was recorded by a world-class recording artist like Delbert McClinton, Cracker, Sissy Spacek, Amy Grant, Kix Brooks, Suzy Bogguss, Corey Harris, or Raul Malo. You’d be changed forever. You’d have learned about teamwork, the value of everyone’s ideas, embracing diversity and collaboration through the group songwriting process. You might start writing songs to express your feelings rather than striking out in anger. You’d feel really listened to and proud of what you had done. And just imagine that this was the most fun you ever had in school. Well, this is what Kid Pan Alley is doing in schools throughout the country—inspiring kids use their imaginations—to be creators of their own music, not just consumers of popular culture. We’ve written over 1,500 songs with over 25,000 children and we’ve got to say kids make the greatest co-writers. Come on inside and hear some of their creations. And, if you are so inclined, help us bring Kid Pan Alley to schools around the country.
New Videos and Photos! Go to Recent Residencies to see videos and photos and hear some songs Kid Pan Alley's written recently with schoolkids!
Testimonials
"The kids LOVED it and I really think songwriting is a great tool to learn through. I will be incorporating it in future lessons... [In the residency, the kids] used collaborative learning, developed language skills (rhyming, main idea, supporting details), and teamwork."
teacher at Murray Elementary, Ivy, VA
"I cannot wait to perform, and I hope you will be able to come back again so we can make lots of wonderful songs together.” Murray Elementary student
"One boy in my class jumped in feet first and was incredible. He often has difficulty expressing himself but this opened up a new path for him."
teacher at Jackson-Via Elementary, Charlottesville, VA
"This is a program that gives New Life to music instructors across the globe!!"
teacher at MacGregor Music & Science Academy, Houston, TX
"We appreciate you working with our students and helping them to expand their creative minds!"
teacher at Johnson Elementary, Charlottesville, VA
Help bring Kid Pan Alley to your community and to children across the country. We have merged with The Crescent Theatre Company and Kid Pan Alley is now Crescent Theatre d/b/a Kid Pan Alley, FEIN 20-1609731.
NEW PROJECTS!
Our latest CD, I Used to Know the Names of All the Stars, named Best Children's Music Recording by the Washington Area Music Association. For information on our new album featuring Cracker, Corey Harris, Sissy Spacek, John McCutcheon, Trees on Fire, Shannon Worrell, Devon Sproule, Sparky's Flaw and many others. Click here
Stand Up and Be Heard, One Little Song Can Change the World - Kid Pan Alley's Character Development Assembly Program features songs written by kids in Kid Pan Alley residencies that focus on respect - for yourself, for others, for your school, for the environment. Excellent reinforcement of your school's character development program.
KID PAN ALLEY ON NPR'S MORNING EDITION! Hear Paul Reisler on NPR's Morning Edition: www.npr.org
KID PAN ALLEY INTERGENERATIONAL WORKSHOPS Daily Progress Intergenerational Residency article to read the article in Daily Progress about the KPA intergenerational workshop with seniors and kids.
WANT TO BE INVOLVED?
- Bring Kid Pan Alley to Your Community! Kid Pan Alley Residency Information Packet
- See photos from recent residencies Recent residencies
- Funding opportunities for residencies: Meet the Composer; Virginia Commission for the Arts residency grant (deadline: April 1)
- Want to be a Better Songwriter? Check out Paul's Songcamps
- Buy Kid Pan Alley CDs!
- Help us bring Kid Pan Alley to inner city and underserved schools:
