Name ___________________________

Cover Song Project

This project will guide you through the process of making a cover song. You will plan, organize, and
perform your song as part of a small group (five people maximum). As a class, we will discuss and learn
the following:
-What a cover song is
-Form & structure in music
-Chord progressions
-Melody & harmony; what they are and how they work
-Instrumentation

The guidelines for this project are as follows:

-Song to be covered must be school-appropriate in subject matter and use of language. We can discuss
what this means as a class and what accommodations we can make.
-Final performance should be a minimum of 2 minutes.
-Traditional musical notation may be used, but is not required.
-Basic notation of form and chord progressions will be used in your maps.
-The majority of group members should perform on their orchestra instrument, i.e., a minimum of three
group members in a five-person group. Other instruments and vocals may be used in a supplementary
role.

Name ___________________________

Formal/Harmonic Map (Class)

Please complete this map as we work on it together in class. This page does not need to be turned in,
however you will be asked to show that you have completed it.

Name ___________________________

Sample Song List

1. Burn - Ellie Goulding
2. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
3. Blank Space - Taylor Swift
4. Heartbeat Song - Kelly Clarkson
5. Roar - Katy Perry
6. Baby - Justin Bieber
7. Let It Be - The Beatles
8. Eye of the Tiger- Survivor
9. Lips are Movin - Meghan Trainor
10. Fight Song - Rachel Platten
11. Say Something - A Great Big World, Christina Aguilera

Name ___________________________

Formal/Harmonic Map (Group)

Please complete this map with your group. Each group member should complete it and turn it in the day
you and your group perform.

Name ___________________________

Self-Reflection
Answer the following questions individually (on your own). This page will be handed in the day after you
and your group perform. If you need more space to write, use the back of this page.
1.

What did you like about the project?

2.

What didnt you like about the project?

3.

What was the biggest thing you learned from doing this project?

4.

How would you describe the difference between a cover song and an arrangement? Is there a difference?

5.

Are you satisfied with how well your group was able to produce your chosen song? Why or why not?

Name ___________________________

This is the rubric that will be used to measure your groups work. Use it a checklist as you plan and practice with
your group.

Group: ________________________ Song: ________________________

1. Formal map complete

____ / 5

2. Harmonic map complete

____ / 5

3. Appropriate use of stringed instruments

____ / 5

4. Song meets 2-minute minimum

performance time

____ / 5

5. Song demonstrates clear melody

____ / 5

6. Song demonstrates clear harmony

____ / 5

7. Song demonstrates clear bass line

____ / 5

Total: ____ / 35