Songwriting contest makes music for at-risk youth possible
When funds are sparse, extra curriculars are the first to go—so, while playing the recorder is an archetypal memory for many adults, children today are less and less likely to experience the wonder of making their own musical notes at school. For that reason, the annual Songwriters Showcase at Britannia Arms in Capitola is joining forces with Guitars Not Guns, which brings music back to children.
In its 13th year, the Songwriters Showcase is open to any unsigned songwriters in the area. It’s an opportunity to get to the core, says founder Ken Capitanich.
“We’re trying to get people to take a good look at their songs,” says Capitanich. “There’s certain things that you can do to your songs to make it stronger—strong writing, strong hooks, good lyrics and how the music notes interact with the voices.”
The preliminary rounds for this year’s showcase have been going since mid-February, with the three top-scoring contestants of each of the eight preliminary shows proceeding to the semifinals on April 21 and 28. The final round concludes May 5 with a raffle for a guitar from Boulder Creek Guitars to benefit Guitars Not Guns.
It’s not about performance or vocal talent, says Capitanich, and the industry-standard judges—local producers, studio owners and engineers—he’s recruited over the years are entirely focused on content.
“A lot of people come in who maybe can’t play guitar or don’t have the right equipment,” he says. “Sometimes the professional people might not have as good a song as what I call a ‘closet musician’— it evens out the playing field.”
Getting those “closet musicians” out of their shell, says Capitanich, is the goal—but working hand-in-hand with community sponsors to further foster music-making is the inspiration.
Mike Keller, president of the nonprofit Guitars Not Guns local chapter, says that giving children an alternative, something to focus their energy on, is hugely rewarding.
Guitars Not Guns operates solely on self-motivation: at-risk youth from local organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters can get a free eight-week guitar course. If they complete the whole course, they get to keep the guitar.
“Sometimes that’s the only way that you can reach a kid, maybe they’re not doing well in school or theyre just feeling like an outcast, not fitting in for whatever reason, and music can really change all that,” says Keller. “It helps the kids with their self esteem, it helps them grow personally.
Info: Semi Final Rounds at 7 p.m. April 21 and 28. Britannia Arms, 110 Monterey Ave., Capitola. 464-2583. PHOTO: Left to right: Celeste Deruisa, Mike Mattingly and Travis Palmer will all compete in the Songwriters Showcase semifinals.
