Today’s teens, like generations before them, love to listen to music.

Unlike generations before them, though, they have more options than the radio, stereo, jukebox or eight-track player. Today’s teens have more personal ways to listen like MP3s, iPods, cell phones and portable CD players.

Several teens from Sedona recently had the chance to make music others will hopefully listen to through a Power of Music summer program at the Sedona Public Library.

The program allowed participants to write and record a song onto a CD that will be available for sale. Some of the proceeds will go back to the library for scholarships for next year’s program, instructor Barbara Hughes said.

Hughes lives in New Hampshire but is a former Sedona resident. She returns to the city each year to conduct the Power of Music program in Sedona and Camp Verde.

“We’ve been writing as individuals, then the group decides on the best of what everyone wrote and combines them into a message. Then we put that to music. The whole point is to learn to collaborate, to respect everyone’s ideas and come up with what flows,” Hughes said as she tuned her guitar June 10. “I was blown away by the talent of the groups.”

The Sedona class was made possible through money donated for scholarships by the Sedona-Bell Rock Kiwanis Club.

The eight Sedona teens — who attend Sedona Charter School, Sedona Red Rock High School, Verde Valley School or home schools — joined with students from Hughes’ Camp Verde class for a final run-through of the song they produced, which is based on using the voice to speak up and be heard. Some of the students play instruments and some sing.

The group recorded the song Saturday, June 12, in a studio with 1970s country singer Kenny Starr. The official release of the CD will be Wednesday, June 23, at a party on the outdoor patio at Relics between 6 and 10 p.m.

“We’ll perform the piece live that night, and have the CDs there for sale,” Hughes said. Afterward the CDs will be available at the Sedona Public Library.

Victoria Nabours, an incoming junior at Sedona Red Rock High School, said she heard about the class at school and wanted to learn how to write music. She plans to eventually write her own music.

“I’m a singer, and I’m learning guitar. This class has been very helpful, definitely,” Nabours said. “It’s about being able to express yourself.”

Sean Bresnan attends Verde Valley School and will be a sophomore in the fall. He wants to pursue music as a career and takes many of the music classes that are offered at his school in the Village of Oak Creek. Bresnan plays electric guitar, violin, cello, piano, drums and occasionally sings.

“I was performing live and someone there mentioned this program. I thought it would be a good opportunity to play with other musicians and make a CD. I think it’s been a great way to spend my summer break,” Bresnan said.