Our Story

  • How Documentary Songwriting Began

    Documentary songwriting traces its roots to the ancient tradition of expressing human experience through song. The modern method was developed in 2009 by Malcolm Brooks and Hannah Batley through a collaboration with the Rockland Unitarian Universalist Church choir in Rockland, Maine.

    Their first song, "Sunflower," marked the beginning of what's now known as the Documentary Songwriting Method—a structured approach that helps musicians transform stories into songs. Over the next decade, the method spread through teaching artists working in schools, community organizations, and international projects.

  • DocSong Becomes a Nonprofit

    By 2018, documentary songwriting had reached a tipping point. Teaching artists were using the method across the country and internationally—with refugees in Belgium, in reconciliation work in Cyprus, with survivors of domestic violence, and in schools from Maine to California.

    In March 2018, Documentary Songwriters became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The organization began offering formal teaching artist training, and in 2021, hosted its first sold-out intensive training program.

  • A Growing Network

    What began as a creative method developed by two musicians has become a national network of teaching artists. DocSong now trains practitioners through workshops and university partnerships, equipping them to bring documentary songwriting to their own communities.

    This capacity-building approach creates lasting impact—each teaching artist can facilitate multiple projects over years, reaching hundreds of people. In 2027, we'll deepen this work through our first Fellowship Program, providing intensive support for teaching artists leading year-long community projects.

DocSong Icon

Our
First Song

"Sunflower" was the first documentary song, created in 2009 by Malcolm Brooks and Hannah Batley. It marked the beginning of the method and set the foundation for everything that followed.
Listen to Sunflower

Be Part of
Our Story

From one song in a Maine church to a national network of teaching artists, documentary songwriting continues to grow. This work happens because of people who believe in its power. Your support trains teaching artists, funds fellowships, and helps create songs that build empathy and strengthen communities.
Support a Fellow
Sponsor a Song

Partner Organizations

Oberlin College & Conservatory LogoMayo Street Arts LogoRenovare Music for the Whole LogoSOL Songs LogoUnlocking Harmony LogoFinding Our Voices LogoUniversity of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies Logo