The Songwriting Works Educational Foundation

Songwriting Works creates community through song and songs through community. We serve elders, older adults, family care partners, families and musicians as we advocate for expanding the power of music in daily life for all.

Songwriting Works brings its magic - the health and social benefits of songmaking - to those who need it most. Our signature Songwriting Works program - collective songwriting - brings elders and families in care and community settings together with professional songwriters trained in SW's evidence-based method. To date, more than 3,200 people average age 87 have co-composed over 300 songs.

“Those who didn’t know they could, collaborate with energy they didn't know they had.” —Marcia Perlstein M.S.W. L.M.F.T

SW's new MusicTeams program gives volunteers of all ages new opportuities to learn and create together. They study music skills and the health science behind music-making - how original music-making increases brain, body, mind, spiritual and social health, improves communication, breaks isolation, dissolves depression, invigorates the heart, strengthens self-esteem, and transforms and empowers us.

They learn SW's 8 Principles of Creative Engagement and go out into their communities to instigate music-making with family, friends and neighbors, young and old. Projects take place in urban, suburban and rural areas. Facilitation expressly includes people of all walks of life, physical, cognitive and mental health, and all levels of musical experience.

“We sang and played as a way of learning. And that’s my way of learning. …I find myself singing when I walk the dogs now instead of just doing a little rhythm. I find myself noticing things. This afternoon I found myself sharing two songs with the boys…I don’t think I would have done that before. And I’m writing about this missing link of singing. I can bring words to what I call the street corner - anytime anywhere - and if I love something I can speak, but I could not ever go so far as to dare sing…. I sing quite often now. I’m practicing. I had a dream that I was singing everything and that’s never happened (before). …I’m doing my homework. YOU may not be alive when I finish my homework but I will, and I’m 71!” -- Maureen Piper, MusicTeammate

“I have heard staff comment how watching and listening to our residents be creative has increased their respect for and empathy for the resident. They have often been surprised by the engagement of residents who are otherwise withdrawn.” – Jay S. Luxenberg, M.D., former Director of Medicine, Jewish Home San Fransisco

“…They took everybody’s name, everybody felt like they were a part of the program for the day which was very good for us…better than pills.”
-Resident of the Caroline Kline Galland Home, Seattle, WA

Award-winning. Constituent-led. Evidence-based. Songwriting Works is the recipient of the 2010 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Caregiving Legacy Award, 2008 Society for the Arts in Healthcare Blair Sadler International Healing Arts award, 2007 MetLife/American Society on Aging MindAlert award, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington Health Foundation, among others

[Of the Songwriting Works music team] "These people dig what they're doing and hang in there in the creative process in an amazing way! They let whats inside people come out and transform it into something that has a shimmering innocense but also the weight of a whole life of being present." -Laurence Cole, composer and director of PT Songlines Choir

Publications include a book chapter in "Enhancing Cognitive Fitness in Adults: A Guide to the Use and Development of Community Based Programs (Springer 2011, eds. Paula Hartman-Stein and Asenath LaRue). The CD "Island on a Hill" by Singers and Songwriters of the Jewish Home San Francisco, Judith-Kate Friedman and guest klezmer musicians. And Nathan Friedkin's documentary "A Specially Wonderful Affair" which tells the story of the Jewish Home elders recording their debut CD during the week of 9/11/2001 (www.fdigital.net). As one of the participants age 97 said then, "If we stop singing now, the terrorists have won." You can hear their songs on the CD "Island on a Hill" (www.cdbaby.com)

"What have I learned? Can you put a count on a sunset?" -J.D., participant age 87.

HEAR MORE SONGS AND SEE VIDEO AT: www.songwritingworks.org/songs-gallery/video.htm