Sharpen pencils, pens, markers and whatever other writing utensils are at hand to express thoughts and words on a page, because it’s songwriting season for 13- to 20-year-old Grays Harbor students.

The Bridge Music Project, a nonprofit organization, is once again hosting a free, seven-week songwriting workshop that starts Oct. 9. The nonprofit has hosted workshops in Grays Harbor County since 2018.

“This is an opportunity for youth to make friends, learn how to write music, and get a taste of what it means to be a professional musician,” said Bobby Williams, executive director of The Bridge Music Project.

The program will allow young musicians the chance to work in teams as they write, record and perform original music with “guidance” of experience musicians. The workshops will run from 5 to 7 p.m., on Wednesdays inside the band room at Hoquiam High School — 501 W. Emerson Ave. The workshops will run through Wednesday, Nov. 20. The recording times and dates are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m, on Nov. 9, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 10.

Each group will record in a separate two-hour block. The location for the recording dates is to be determined, according to the application students are required to fill out.

While the workshop is hosted at Hoquiam High School, students can come from outside of Hoquiam.

Students are encouraged to attend all sessions. But, in order to stay in the workshop, students can miss no more than two sessions. Students — capped at 20 — should bring their own instruments.

“We can provide instruments on a case-case basis, but in general we don’t provide the instruments,” Williams said.

Who will lead the workshops?

Musicians from the Grays Harbor music scene — Colin Gage, Aaron Doull and JR Lakey — will lead the students each week.

Justin Kautzman spoke about his long-time roots in Grays Harbor.

“Grays Harbor music has been a big part of my life since I was a teenager,” said Kautzman, lead singer and guitarist for Black Shepherd. “I used to go to live shows and was inspired by people that I now get to play shows with. I think it’s important that we give kids here that same opportunity to fall in love with music.”

After several weeks of songwriting, students will record their finished music with a professional audio engineer. And the project ends with a community-wide concert.

“Our workshops are a supportive place for everyone from youth just getting started to experienced musicians,” Williams said.

Funding

The Grays Harbor Community Foundation provides the funding for The Bridge Music Project.

Williams spoke highly of the nonprofit.

“The Grays Harbor Community Foundation has always been such an incredible supporter of our work,” Williams said. “We love working with them.”

Students can fill out an online application at www.bridgemusicproject.org/graysharbor in order to participate in The Bridge Music Project.

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.