Songs
A documentary song comes from a person’s actual, lived experience. DocSongs document the emotions of that experience through music and share it with the world.
Documentary songwriting is a powerful vehicle for telling women’s stories. It turns difficult experiences into beautiful music, and through collaboration it creates lasting bonds between participants. These real, truthful stories can help connect even more people.
SELECTED SONGS
A number of our story sources and creative partners struggle with a mix or change of self-identity. They may hide away a part of themselves – the part that doesn’t fit or cannot adjust – to be accepted. This part of one’s self has a voice that deserves to be heard.
PROJECT PROFILE
Identities Project
From Melodi Var Öngel and Malcolm Brooks: "We have met a number of people who struggle with a mix or a change of self-identity. In some instances, the struggle arises from upbringing. One of their parents may be from one culture and the other parent from another, quite different culture.
In other instances, the struggle arises from a foundational change in their life. A loved one dies, and the world may expect them to act in a different way.
To be accepted in their own culture, they may hide away a part of themselves – the part that doesn’t fit or cannot adjust. Yet this part of one’s identity has a voice. It, too, deserves to be heard.
We began collaborating with people who have experienced this inner conflict. The songs in this project come from people from contrasting cultures, such as Québec, Iraq, the United Kingdom, and the Côte d’Ivoire. What the songs reveal, at least to us, is grace and strength. Each song feels like an unanticipated treasure."
SELECTED SONGS
Documentary songwriting can also be a potent humanitarian tool. From those who have found new homes, reflecting on journeys both intimate and international, these personal peace stories from cultures in conflict serve as the basis for powerful original songs.
SELECTED SONGS
A documentary song reflects the impressions of a lived event, based on spoken words. The question arises, how would a visual artist convey their impression of a documentary song? This collaborative, multimedia project explores the intersection of these interpretations.
PROJECT PROFILE
Documentary Art Project
A documentary song reflects the impressions of a lived event, based on spoken words. The question arises, how would a visual artist convey their impression of a documentary song?
Here are four answers to that question.
Raspberries – Clio Berta (art), Don Mitchell (story source)
One Girl to Another – Hannah Wells (art), Genevieve Roby (story source)
I Lay My Eyes on You – Clio Berta (art), Hannah Batley and Malcolm Brooks (song)
Off to Find Peace – Anna French (art), Hannah Batley and Malcolm Brooks (song)
The Documentary Art Project was inspired by the work of painter Monica Kelly.
SELECTED SONGS
Documentary songwriting is a perfect vehicle to propel the work of Oswald and Biddy Chambers into the future. This intrepid pair served as support to the British Army abroad during World War I. This project puts their devotional words to music for the first time.
SELECTED SONGS
With every veteran, there is a life deeper than the uniform worn. This project helps veterans tell their stories through documentary songwriting. Through one-on-one songwriting sessions, our teaching artists collaborate with veterans to create true and meaningful songs.
SELECTED SONGS
DocSong Archive
- All
- Documentary Art Project
- Identities Project
- Push Farther Project
- Songs Across Boundaries
- Songs from Oswald Chambers
- Songs of #MeToo
- Uncategorized
- Veteran Songs
The Right to Love
Li Meiling left her home country of China, but that doesn’t mean she can leave home. Her family has a long reach.
The Preschool Song
To make it easier to say goodbye in the morning, Marieke Slovin and her father would wave to each other through the windows of the preschool building.
Stoke Train
Utah and Colorado: Hazel Delehey and friends are hiking for miles and Hazel has fallen ill. She and her friends call themselves the “Stoke Train” to keep them going.
