Lifesongs

An Intergenerational Community Celebration of the Human Journey Through Music, Dance, and Story

Lifesongs is a program of the Academy for the Love of Learning and Littleglobe

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About Lifesongs

Lifesongs is an intergenerational arts project that promotes social inclusion and dignity for elders and people in hospice care. Central to the Lifesongs process is the artist-facilitated creation of original musical works by people in nursing homes and hospice care. Lifesongs engages youth and community members in the interactive creative process and hosts public events that increase awareness and engagement with the processes of aging and dying.

Lifesongs collaborations are of two kinds:

One-to-one sessions between facilitating artists and people in hospice and nursing care
A unique intergenerational ensemble created with residents of nursing care facilities, artists from the community, youth performers and school children

Before Lifesongs we just existed. Now we are living. I feel like a role model.
~ Gladys, nursing home participant

Lifesongs is essential—a remarkable opportunity to bring meaningful expression to what lives most deeply in us as we come to the last stages of our lives. Through Lifesongs we can all transform, learning to become better at being human, a key intent of the Academy. ~ Aaron Stern, Academy Founder and President

I had no idea I could do anything like this. ~ Mary, hospice participant

Lifesongs’ artists provide a safe environment in which each person is truly witnessed. The in-depth collaborative practice is transformative. It allows participants to identify and express something of meaning in the latter stages of their lives.

The collaborative creative process culminates in concert performances of the original musical works. The resulting lifesongs are as varied as the individual lives and experiences they represent. They have included love songs, homages to family and friends, reflective contemplations, creative multi-media explorations of gardening, and simple prayers for freedom and peace.

How Lifesongs Are Created

Anyone is capable of creating a Lifesong. Lifesongs artists specialize in the capacity to provide a safe environment in which each person is truly witnessed. The Lifesongs practice is based upon an in-depth collaborative process in which participants near the end of life are able to identify and express something of meaning in their lives.

The Lifesongs artists combine writing and drawing exercises with guided discussion and musical exploration (acoustic instruments, midi keyboard, and adaptive instrument technology) to draw authentic responses from the participants. Artists and participants then work together to refine these into musical and artistic works.

Lifesongs in Concert

Professional musicians, local choirs, and artists of all ages perform the Lifesongs in a concert for the public. Our current performing partners include UNM’s Dolce Suono Chorus (conductor, Regina Carlow) and The Santa Fe Opera’s Young Voices Program. Past collaborators have included the College of Santa Fe Student Chorus and Your Song (a threshold choir).

In the four years since the program began, concert audiences have increased significantly. To accommodate this growing Lifesongs community, both the Lensic Performing Arts Center (Santa Fe) and the National Hispanic Cultural Center (Albuquerque) have generously hosted concerts since 2010.

A Replicable Model

Over the past four years, Lifesongs has developed an effective program and a strong community partnership structure. Lifesongs artists have worked with over 50 nursing home and hospice residents and their extended families, 200 youth and community singers, 20 facilitating artists, and 15 professional musicians. Over 2500 audience members have experienced the concerts.

Demand for the program has been growing both locally and in other communities. In order to accommodate these expanding needs and to create a replicable model, Lifesongs entered a strategic planning year in 2011-2012 with the program’s new home, the Academy for the Love of Learning.

PHOTO CREDIT FOR ALL IMAGES: Jason Jaacks

Learn more about Lifesongs:

Why Lifesongs ►
Lifesongs Testimonials ►
Leadership and Partners ►
How To Contact Lifesongs ►
How You Can Support Lifesongs ►