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LIFESONGS
May 1, 2010, 4:00 PM
Journal Theater,
The National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque
May 2, 2010, 4:00 PM
The Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe
Concerts are free, however tickets are necessary for the Albuquerque concert.
Founding Artistic Director: Molly Sturges
Project Director/Artist: Andrea Walters
Stage Director/Artist: Acushla Bastible
Additional Lifesongs Artists: Valerie Martinez, Jason Jaacks, Zevin Polzin, Henry Shukman, Ilana Kirschbaum, Jeff Brown, Frederick Friahm, Charles Gamble
Lifesongs began in 2007 and is founded on the belief that art-making with people in times of transition has the power to inspire a sense of human dignity and create a strong experience of shared humanity.
A project of Littleglobe and The Santa Fe Opera Community Engagement Program, Lifesongs is an arts-in-community project facilitating the creation of original musical works by people in nursing homes and hospice care. Participants work with NM composers, musicians, visual artists, and writers to create new pieces to be performed by local musicians and choirs including Young Voices of The Santa Fe Opera, Dolce Suono of the University of New Mexico; and Your Song, a threshold choir.
Lifesongs specializes in the capacity to meet people where they feel comfortable and seeks to provide a safe environment in which each person is truly witnessed. Each piece is created from an in-depth collaborative process in which participants are able to identify and express something of meaning in their lives. Most of the participants begin by stating they are not Òmusical.Ó Through gentle writing, drawing and craft exercises, emotional stimulation through music--midi keyboard, sonic computer programs, and acoustic instruments--facilitating artists are able to draw authentic, meaningful responses from the participant artists that, over time, take shape in musical pieces. Lifesongs have included songs of love, homages to family and friends, contemplations, and simple prayers for freedom and peace.
"the dark breezes of the sea
i have never felt you
quiet, so quiet
tranquility
i am searching for life"
-Barbara Armstrong, Lifesongs 2008
"i am stepping into life
i can feel the wind on my back
i wave goodbye to Tucumcari
and make my way towards you"
-Jeannene O'Hara, Lifesongs 2009
Now in its third year, Lifesongs initiated a collaboration with The Santa Fe Complex and artist Zevin Polzin to create adaptive compositional tools, allowing participant artists to compose music by moving their hands in space-- specifically a computer program tracks the hand movement, assigning notes and intervals to particular placement and relationships.
The Bits and Pieces songwriting group of Santa Fe Care Center have been exploring these tools and developing new compositions. For those with limited movement, and often limited personal choice, this is a significant experience of expression, social inclusion, and empowerment.Additionally in 2010 Lifesongs, in partnership with The National Hispanic Cultural Center, will introduce Lifesongs Barelas. Lifesongs Barelas willrepresent the people of this historic neighborhood which is also home to The National Hispanic Cultural Center.
Partners include: Ambercare Hospice Care, Albuquerque and Santa Fe; The Lensic Performing Arts Center; The National Hispanic Cultural Center; Santa Fe Care Center; and The Santa Fe Complex.
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