Last week I was fortunate enough to receive a Certificate of Excellence Award from Dr. Frey-Monell, Rosary’s orchestra, choir, and songwriting teacher, for my work in her songwriting class. I was very grateful to receive such an award because songwriting has been an essential, creative outlet for me over the past 6 months. It is also Dr. Frey-Monell’s first year as an teacher at Rosary, and it was a great honor to learn from her and be acknowledged for everything she taught me. With that said, I have decided to rate all the songs I wrote over the past 6 months to give a sneak peek into the songwriting I have done to receive this award. Let’s get into it!
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1. Dreams in the Dark
5/10 – First song I ever wrote, very lyrically ambiguous, not a super personal piece, performed this song for an open mic that landed me a spot at OC Hit Studio
2. Looking Up
10/10 – Wrote this song about my two older siblings, Sonoma and Isaiah, emotional piece, makes me happy every time I sing it, performed this song in Nashville with OC Hit Studio and for Rosary’s Fine Arts Festival
3. Wholly Dissatisfied
7/10 – Wrote this song about the struggles I have with mental health, very therapeutic to write, my mom really likes this one
4. Pouring Out
6/10 – First worship song I ever wrote, very reminiscent of “Oceans,” I like the lyrics, but I think it’s too simple melodically, almost fully produced this song with OC Hit Studio
5. The Little Girl Who used to Believe
9/10 – First co-written song, wrote this one with Gigi Coo ’24 for Rosary’s Winter Music Concert, nostalgic and festive, Christmas themed
6. Home Alone
6/10 – Wrote this song after reading “Yellow Wallpaper” in AP Lit with Mr. Bevins, super eerie vibe, has a lot of imagery and detailed lyrics
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7. Lifeline
10/10 – Wrote this song about my best friend, Luke Greenlee, very personal piece, makes me think of him and the friendship we have, definitely a fan favorite, have a recorded demo of this song that I recorded at OC Hit Studio
8. Another Angel
5/10 – Wrote this song while grieving the losses of loved ones, super stripped down and simple chords, don’t love the melody, but this song was an outlet for my emotions at the time
9. Cheers To It
7/10 – This song was originally called “From Me, To You,” has a lot of references to playing poker which is cool, performed this song in Nashville with OC Hit Studio
10. In My Blood
10/10 – Wrote this song while on a music trip in Nashville with OC Hit Studio, non-traditional structure, has a lot of repetition that makes it fun too sing, possibly my favorite song I’ve written
11. The Tracks (Incoming)
9/10 – Wrote this song about feeling misunderstood in a friendship, another therapeutic piece, vocally challenging to sing, fully produced this song with OC Hit Studio
12. If I Were You
4/10 – Wrote this about my relationship with my dad, still unfinished, not super interesting, but still good practice to write, kind of sad lyrics
13. That’s Just That
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8/10 – Wrote this song about leaving my sister and friend, Sonoma and Julia Schutt, after summer, sweet and personal, reminds me of being tan and enjoying long summer days
14. Artificial Sweeteners
7/10 – Wrote this song about reality being different from how it seems, very abstract message, interesting lyrics that make it unique
15. Built This City
5/10 – Wrote this song about having doubts in relationships, still unfinished, hardest song I wrote because of the weird chords and crazy melody it has
16. Southwind
8/10 – First country song I ever wrote, very lighthearted and nostalgic vibe, was inspired after attending Stagecoach, working to fully produce this song with OC Hit Studio
17. Walk the Earth
9/10 – Another worship song I wrote, perfect structure, pretty to sing, the bridge is my favorite part, one of the longest songs I have, working to fully produce this song with OC Hit Studio
18. Oh Boy
9/10 – Wrote this as a cheesy love song, has cool references to my family, super fun to sing, definitely could be a wedding song
19. Sweet Familiar
10/10 – Wrote another song about my best friend, Luke Greenlee, I really like the pre-chorus melody, somewhat country vibe
20. Eclipse (In Rainbows)
10/10 – Wrote this song about a loss of a close friendship, therapeutic to write, fun to play on guitar, has cool references that only my friend and I would understand
There are still many more songs to be written, and I can’t wait to continue songwriting and developing my passion for music after graduation. Under Dr. Frey-Monell’s instruction, I have grown as a musician and found so much inspiration to write and create my own music. I am so grateful to have been recognized for what I love most, and I look forward to writing more original pieces. Keep an eye out if I ever decide to drop my own music because you saw it here first!