Kid Pan Alley facts for kids

Kid Pan Alley is a special non-profit group in Washington, Virginia. It was started in 1999 by Paul Reisler, who was part of the band Trapezoid. This organization helps kids across the United States write their own songs in school.

The main goal of Kid Pan Alley is to help children feel inspired and powerful. They want kids to work together to create their own music. They also aim to bring back creativity as a very important part of learning in schools. Paul Reisler helps students through the songwriting process. Together, they can finish songs in just two class periods.

Kid Pan Alley teachers work with students to brainstorm ideas. Students vote on what their song will be about. Then, they create lyrics and melodies with the teachers. By the end of the week, each class performs their new song. They share it with their school and community. This program is known for helping communities appreciate the arts. It also gives kids a chance to be creative through songwriting at school.

Kid Pan Alley has released six albums of songs written with children. These include Tidal Wave Of Song (2001), Kid Pan Alley Nashville (2006), I Used To Know The Names Of All The Stars (2008), One Little Song Can Change the World (2017), Best Friends (2019), and Maybe by Next year (2021). Famous artists like Amy Grant, Sissy Spacek, Pinchas Zukerman, Raul Malo, Suzy Bogguss, and Delbert McClinton have performed on these albums.

Kid Pan Alley has helped over 80,000 children write more than 2,800 songs. Their albums have won two Parent's Choice Awards, a WAMMIE award, and a NAPPA Gold Award. They even received one Grammy Award Nomination!

Kid Pan Alley has also created two musicals. These are Bouncin' (2017) and The Talented Clementine (2019). The Talented Clementine is based on a book by Sarah Pennypacker. Paul Reisler wrote the stories and songs for both musicals. He used songs from the Kid Pan Alley collection.

How Kid Pan Alley Started

Kid Pan Alley began in 1999 in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Paul Reisler led the very first Kid Pan Alley program there. He helped 600 children compose over 50 songs.

Soon after, Reisler invited professional musicians to record 19 of these songs. They recorded them in their own unique styles. These songs were featured on Kid Pan Alley's first album, Tidal Wave Of Song. In the years that followed, Kid Pan Alley grew. It expanded to many other states, including Hawai'i, California, and Colorado. Reisler chose the name Kid Pan Alley as a fun play on words. It comes from New York City's famous Tin Pan Alley, a place known for songwriting.