Teams Are Preparing for Upcoming SLAM!

Poetry Slam! is around the corner and America SCORES kids are getting ready by adding details to their poetry, creating actions that emphasize their words, and practicing in front of peers and coaches.

Here is a glimpse of what's to come from Munroe boys:

          It looks like a shadow walking down the street

          It sounds like a bat flapping his wings in the dark, spooky sky

          It tasted like a tortilla burned up in my stove

          It smelled like my stinky, smelly, nasty shoe

          It feels like spikey, gelled hair

          What color is it?     (black)

          It looks like a shiny FIFA trophy

          It sounds like a dangerous and fast cheetah

          It tastes like a delicious homemade tamale

          It feels like a soft Cocker Spaniel puppy

          It smells like a shiny treasure

          What color is it?      (gold)

We're sure you'll enjoy the other two colors they've written about!  

Make sure not to miss the 12th Annual Poetry Slam! at Abraham Lincoln High School November 8th from 5:30 to 7:30PM.  Come hear all the Denver poet-athletes perform their original works from the fall season and bring your money for an America SCORES Denver t-shirt!

Days 2 and 3 - Writing, Practicing, Recording

Thursday, October 13th Psalm One visited Knapp Elementary for a second day of writing and preparation for studio time on Monday the 17th. SCORES participants got out their pencils and put to paper their thoughts about what someone might say about them on their hundredth birthdays, positive behaviors that make them the "smart gang" and what they might tell an alien who came to their game on Friday.

Our talented guest then pulled examples from the writing to help create verses, including this one the poet-athletes memorized for their studio recording!

          Yes we're ready to make it right
          Say no to drugs and live yo' life
          This is our time to do our thang
          'Cause we're the smart gang
          We're the smart gang!

Monday afternoon the poets-turned-rappers were welcomed at Side 3 Studios by Psalm One and the magicians at the sound board who made them sound fabulous. Each student had a turn in front of the microphone, and in the studio to watch their headphone-wearing teammates. After the excitement everyone had a little time to play in the lounge.

We were all sad to say goodbye to our new friend but everyone is excited to hear how the song turns out! Thank you to ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES, Side 3 Studios, Rhymesayers Entertainment, and of course to Psalm One for her time and talents!

Day 1 was fun with Psalm One!

getting started with Q & A

...Okay, so we're no rappers, but the SCORES teams at Knapp might be!

On day 1 of our participation in the ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES Knapp Elementary's SCORES teams got to know Psalm One through a lot of questions, picked their favorite beat, and began to write.  Our poet-athletes wrote about what they each like and what they think makes Denver and/or their school cool.

sharing work

Psalm One works through the students' writing to create her portion of the song after their session together, and today Knapp teams will create their section(s) of the collaboration.  Friday is "game day" for America SCORES Denver so Psalm and the kids will record their hip hop creation Monday afternoon.

Keep checking back to see and hear what's new!

Join friends of SCORES Wednesday the 12th

Psalm One Woman at Work video

Psalm One is coming to Denver to work with Knapp Elementary's SCORES teams!

Hip hop artist Psalm One is on a 9 city tour with The ASCAP Songwriter Residency @ America SCORES. It's been fun to watch what happens in other cities. Check it out here Psalm One at America Scores

We're excited to see what happens next!  As we get ready to welcome Psalm One to Denver make sure you visit our blog and Facebook for updates.

Fall Season is off to a great start!

Denver teams had a great time at Fall Frenzy on September 24th! Thank you to the ladies of Regis Univeristy Women's Soccer who made such a successful Saturday event possible.

Poet-athletes have each had a home and away game so far, and are busy on writing days learning about haiku, acrostics and alliteration among other fun poetic devices.  Stay tuned for more good stuff from Denver!