Accentuate The Positive

Project Details

In 2002, The Johnny Mercer Foundation launched a lyric-writing program to teach elementary students about the art of songwriting and to introduce them to the songs of the Great American Songbook.

At the center of this program is Accentuate the Positive, a student activity guide that explains how a song is born, how music and lyrics are conceived and written, and how these songs reflect our passions and ideals. Accentuate the Positive is currently being used in Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta schools.

With the continued interest in our program we’ve added:

Accentuate the Positive Additional Lesson Plans: New student guide that focuses on 4 different Mercer songs
Songs of Johnny Mercer: An activity guide that teaches the fundamentals of music through four of Johnny Mercer’s songs. When used in tandem with Accentuate the Positive, students can create both the music and lyrics of their song.
JMF’s virtual lessons: https://valamusicals.com/education/