Songwriting Works specializes in community songwriting with older adults and their families. Wherever possible, Songwriting Works brings its magic - the health and social benefits of songmaking - to those who need it most. Projects we've done in urban, suburban and rural areas have lifted the diverse voices of the underserved: youth at risk, elders, family care givers, immigrants, low income folks, and people with dissabilities, among others.

Songwriting Works' collaborative songwriting method has been honed one session at a time, across a broad demographic spectrum, leaving a trail of success stories and changed lives in its wake for twenty years. From participants (age 6 to 106) to health care professionals to musicians and spiritual leaders, lives have been enriched by this opportunity to come together and create original songs.

Many ask, "Can anyone do this?" The answer is: "Yes!" Most of the more than 3000 people who have participated to date had never before written a song. Among elders, their average age has been 87. And 65% of these elders have had diagnosis of alzheimers disease and other dementias. Their songs have been sung, recorded and performed internationally by professional musicians garnering recognition and awards from the Society for the Arts in Healthcare, the MetLife Foundation/American Society on Aging, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Filmmaker Nathan Friedkin's documentary "A Specially Wonderful Affair" tells the story of what happened when elders at the Jewish Home San Fransico recorded their debut CD during the tragic week of September 11, 2001 (www.fdigital.net). As one of the participants (age 91) 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)

Some More Testimonials:

“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 They have often been surprised by the engagement of residents who are otherwise withdrawn.”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., 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

[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

"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