Music in Conversation: EXTEND

Music in Conversation is a DocSong initiative built on a simple idea: stories take on new meaning when they’re in conversation with one another. By bringing together different voices and perspectives, the project creates a richer understanding of shared experiences.

Each month, Music in Conversation features a new documentary song created in collaboration with community storytellers. These songs are shared alongside creative responses—like poetry, visual art, and writing—that invite reflection and spark dialogue. Over time, the project builds an evolving body of work that helps people listen more deeply, connect across differences, and engage with big ideas through story and music.

Each year, the project is guided by a central theme that shapes the stories and collaborations. For 2025, the theme is EXTEND.

What does it mean to extend care—to ourselves, to one another, to our communities?
How do we extend beyond what feels familiar or comfortable?
What happens when we extend a hand, a story, or a song?

Throughout the year, artists and storytellers explore these questions from multiple perspectives, creating space for reflection, conversation, and creative response across the DocSong community.

At its core, Music in Conversation reflects DocSong’s belief that stories and music can bring people closer—fostering deeper listening, understanding, and care.

 

 

Participating Teaching Artists

Ben Rodriguez

Texas

About Ben

Clara Prinston

Ohio

About Clara

Clara Duffy Schneid

Oregon

About Clara

Hannah Stone

Ohio

About Hannah

Rebecca Shasberger

Ohio

About Rebecca

Malcolm Brooks

Maine

About Malcolm

Hazel Delehey

Maine

About Hazel

Songs from Music in Conversation: EXTEND

Pocket of Peace

2025
On the night she gives birth to her son, a mother finds a peace amidst the chaos.
Explore the Song

Chore

2025
Tanisha describes how her father makes her feel, and her decision to stop hoping that their relationship will change.
Explore the Song

Something From Something Else (With a Stone)

2026
Luke considers the weight of taking a life, even a small one, and reckons with the unexpected feelings that follow.
Explore the Song

Two Front Teeth

2025
A summer game ends with Ellen holding her two front teeth in her hands.
Explore the Song

I’ll Hold On

2025
Clara stands beside a friend experiencing a mental health crisis, and wonders if she has the strength to do it.
Explore the Song

The Name of Eve

2025
Explore the Song

Key of Love

2025
Danie describes how her faith became intertwined with beekeeping.
Explore the Song

This Ride

2025
This song tells Neil's story of grappling with a cancer diagnosis and how his perspective shifts. "This Ride" reminds us that sometimes moments of growth come from witnessing the quiet courage of others.
Explore the Song

I Feel So Connected

2025
The song reminds us that when we open ourselves to unexpected relationships with the natural world, we often receive gifts far beyond what we anticipated.
Explore the Song

Go On Lysette

2025
This song tells the story of two friends biking through Mitchell, Oregon who are joined unexpectedly by a cattle dog. "Go On Lysette" is a tender reminder that sometimes the most meaningful companions on our journey are the ones we never expected to meet.
Explore the Song
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