My name is Monty Harper. I've been writing, performing, and recording songs for kids and families since around 1989, and I've been doing it for a living since 1993. As far as I know I'm the only professional children's musician who didn't have a previous career.
I think of myself as a songwriter first and foremost. To me, the songs themselves are the thing. So I'm excited to be sharing them with you here in a way that will hopefully help them take on lives of their own.
Over the years I've written songs for clients such as the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, I've written with kids in my songwriting workshops, I've written with other children's artists, and I've written for my own school and library programs and CDs. I've written songs that promote literacy and science and songs that promote silliness. I've written interactive songs meant to be performed with an audience, songs that tell stories, and songs that are fun to dance to.
I write these songs to please an intelligent, curious, engaged child with a good sense of humor - me, a few decades back. And, as luck would have it, I've found that all kids fit this description, more or less, so that works out well for connecting with an audience!
Hopefully my songwriting speaks for itself, but if you need further evidence of the quality of my writing, you can check out the list of awards my songs have won. And if you require further proof of my continuing commitment to strive for excellence, check out the SongU.com diploma below. You can also learn more about my approach to writing by reading my songwriting advice blog, Tips For Young Songwriters, and by listening to episodes of The Monty Harper Songcast.
My future plans include finding more ways to rely on my writing skills for income. That means spreading the songs beyond my immediate circle of contact. So if you are a teacher or performer or recording artist or parent - whoever you are, please feel free to use these songs. Share them around. Then please come back for more, and while you're here, share with other readers your experiences and successes with the songs.
And if you are a children's artist looking for songs or looking for co-writers, an aspiring writer looking for a coach, an educator looking for someone to inspire your students, or anyone looking for a way to reach kids and families with a particular positive message, I hope you will consider hiring me as your songwriter.
Thanks!
- Monty
