Gavin DeGraw Wants to Perform at your School!

The Rock & Roll Library is proud to announce that Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be" (lyrics) has been selected as the theme of the 2004-05 Song Lesson Contest.

The contest challenges educators to create a lesson plan for any subject on any topic based on Gavin’s song. Possible subjects include: civics, health, math, music, art and English (more topic suggestions). You can also read about our first Song Lesson Contest and in school event with Melissa Etheridge here.

The RRL chose "I Don't Want To Be" by Gavin DeGraw as the feature song of the 2004-05 SLC because it applies to a wide range of lesson themes relevant to students of many ages. "I Don't Want To Be" encourages listeners to “be who they are” rather than internalizing expectations placed upon them by peers, popular culture, mainstream advertising and society as a whole. In particular, the song addresses the identity crisis among youth who feel pressured to conform. This song encourages youth to embrace their background and cultivate their own sense of identity and self-worth.

The Rock & Roll Library (RRL) established the Song Lesson Contest (SLC) to address specific issues relevant to today's global community, promote education through popular music and generate original lesson plans based on music. The lesson plans received through this contest will be made available to educators worldwide for free at RockLibrary.com.

Grand Prize
The Rock & Roll Library will host a special performance and student Q&A with Gavin DeGraw at the winner's school
$300 cash prize
Autographed memorabilia from Gavin DeGraw

Second Prize
$250 cash prize
Autographed memorabilia from Gavin DeGraw

Third Prize
$100 cash prize
Autographed memorabilia from Gavin DeGraw

Lessons will be judged based on creativity, educational content and how well they meet educational standards.

Deadline for submission is January 13, 2005
Winners will be announced February 1, 2005

Grand Prize visit will be scheduled for April or May 2005

How to format your lesson plan
Contest Rules/Terms
Online Application