The people who have been doing this work

The people who have been doing this work for longer than I have are numerous.

I found this organization when I was working in Davis, CA on my last tour. I was introduced to a member of the local choir by an old high school friend. I like the fact that this network of choirs is coast to coast and has more than a 130 chapters.


http://thresholdchoir.org

Or on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ThresholdChoir

From their own website:

"Threshold Choir is a network of a cappella choirs of primarily women's voices:
a community whose mission is to sing for and with those at the thresholds of life. 

Founded in 2000, more than 130 choirs now serve their local communities, nationwide and worldwide."


Let me know if you want to get involved on the road or in your home town!

It Was A Rocket Ship For The Soul - (When it's is about more than the art)

I started thinking back to when I first heard music. I started listening and writing songs in my parents home where they created an other worldly awe of music. To them too it was more than music. They had seen and expected big things from music. They met in a protest against segregation. My parents taught us the protest songs that had helped galvanize movements and changed our society. They taught us songs full of history that transported us.

So music was change. It was a rocket ship for the soul - out to other places and times. That is what I love about the music I learned and the work I try to do today.

Musicians sometimes end up in a cul de sac of 'Look At Me' activities and after a while it gets tiring. I got tired of it and was less and less committed to working for the attention. But the donations of music at each stop of the recent tours felt more like a prayer than I felt like a player.

It actually happened quite slowly. It started with my mother singing. And working with Norma Blase in the East Bay at retirement communities. (A topic for a future blog ... How To Volunteer In A Field Where Your Friends Make A Living). In NYC with Dorothy Potter, Alex Forbes and John Beltzer writing songs for chronically and terminally ill children as part of SongsOfLove.org.

Playing for Resolve To Stop The Violence Project in the San Bruno jail in California and feeling a different kind of heart opening from people who like those in retirement communities and those struggling with disease maybe receive music in a deeper way.

I think maybe I still hope for a one on one exchange that changes peoples lives a little bit at a time. Music as prayer, music as transporter both to and from other places.



Stay tuned ...

On these tours we have met other singer songwriters, and heard about a cappella groups, string quartets and musicians of all sorts who have been working in this way. In my next entry I will shine a light and try to pay homage to all of the wonderful work others are doing in this area. 

How-To - Help Others With Your Music

I have been overwhelmed with the energy and generosity of the folks I have met at the shows I donated on this tour.

What a blessing.

I have also met and heard of even more groups and individuals who are involved in the work of bringing music to those who have a hard time getting out. More on that in a future post.

Where do you think I should play next?

I have my itinerary pretty set and pretty full for the trip back to LA but I thought: I need to write a brief how-to on what I have been doing. So here it is:

1. You can be on tour or in your hometown but you must want to share your music with folks who are bed ridden or unable to leave their place of residence.

2. You can look up any establishment that serves people who do not get out much. You can also reach out to your friends and family and find an individual who is ailing or one that has been unable to leave home in a while. Put out the word that you are volunteering your music in any way you like.

3. You can contact the home or individual and ask to speak to the person in charge of volunteer services. Let that person know that you would like to offer an hour long donated show for their resident(s).

4. Schedule a time to play for them. Sometimes you will need to register with them also in advance.

5. On the scheduled day go to the facility and play for the folks who don't usually encounter you as their entertainment. Share your good feelings and love with them. Receive the family and individual gratitude in return. Love life!

6. Repeat.


7. If you need any help doing these steps, ones I haven't thought of or want to share something ask me or share it with me. I will help any way I can!

mUsicians and Care Givers and their facilities

I have been volunteering time in hospice facilities and other care centers while on tour. These places could use more music. Musicians love to play to really appreciative audiences. Can you imagine what it would look like if more people could connect in these two groups?

I wrote my first 'hello world' on my artist page. This is how it looked 17 hrs in:

Posted by Aaron Gilmartin · 17 hrs ·

I am starting a volunteer army of musicians to go to live-in facilities while on tour and donate an hour of music.

I've got some name ideas but would love to hear a few suggestions. Anyone got an idea?

119 people reached

The suggestions so far have been wonderful and …. funny. The Salvation Guitarmy (thank you Anthony) is my favorite.

Too funny perhaps?