HOW SONGWRITING WORKS:
Elders and families join together with trained professional songwriters to collectively compose and perform their own original songs. Workshops take place at skilled nursing,
assisted living, adult day and community centers.
The process is participant-driven.
Elders guide each song’s development
as songwriter-facilitators support learning and interaction. As words, music, rhythm, story, image, gesture, humor, conversation, and validation combine, everyone gains access to the physical, cognitive, psycho-social and spiritual benefits of songwriting. New songs are born, reflecting the character, history and vitality of their makers.
Once composed, songs are performed in community celebrations and documented. Recordings and publications
(CD, film, internet) further affirm the songwriters and raise public awareness. Participants are included at every level of publication: They give input into song arrangements, live
and recorded performances, and production assistance.
Workshops are facilitated to support creative exchange between people of diverse cultural, educational and class backgrounds and lifestyles. Accessibility and inclusion ensure that those with a range of physical and cognitive abilities can freely exchange ideas together and contribute as equals.
No prior musical experience is required.
VIDEO CLIPS
Slideshow: Photos taken by Aimee Ringle during the last year working at Songwriting Works Educational Foundation.
Click here to open Chapter 2 from Nathan Friedkin's
'A Specially Wonderful Affair'