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Christine Albert’s most recent volunteer focus is Swan Songs, a project near and dear to heart. Christine is co-founder, president and project manager of this valuable program. Swan Songs Mission Statement Swan Songs is an Austin, Texas based project designed to organize private concerts for individuals and families living with life threatening illness. Patients have the opportunity to request a favorite style of music or local area musician. By bringing live music directly to the home, hospital or hospice facility, Swan Songs helps to create a healing and comforting environment through the fulfillment of musical wishes at the end of life.
The
History of Swan Songs In 1992, I was asked to sing at a small gathering of friends and family as a formerly vibrant 40 year old man faced an early death from a terminal illness. Months later I sang in the hospital room of a cancer patient who loved my French songs. He died a week later. The honor of being invited to sing at these powerful moments in people's lives was humbling and inspiring. Because Austin is the "live music capital of the world", I knew that there had to be many other Austinites facing the end of their life who could no longer go out into the community to hear their favorite performers. At the same time my good friend Gaea Logan, a gifted Austin psychotherapist, was supporting a friend through his final transition and was also feeling compelled to create a program that made music more available to patients in hospice care. The idea was born to create an organization to act as a liaison between the healthcare community and the music community. That initial project was called MusicAid and over the next several years a number of concerts were organized and provided. We discussed setting up the program as part of several regional non-profits, although the timing was never quite right. Gaea kept the idea alive while I went off and embraced other life changes and challenges. One day I was taking a walk and thinking about our MusicAid project. I had begun singing in nursing homes and assisted living centers and was reminded again how powerful music can be outside of the typical "entertainment" venue. I wanted to recommit to the concept and the name Swan Songs appeared out of nowhere, complete with goosebumps! That first gathering I played in 1992 was for John Swann. I researched the swan and the phrase "swan song", and I knew it was the right name. Finally in 2005 we dove in whole heartedly and created Swan Songs. A supportive group of like minded individuals fell into place to join the board, the corporate paperwork was completed and at the end of 2005 we received our 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. I am managing the project on a volunteer basis and along with Gaea and the other board members we are working diligently to make Swan Songs a lasting and valuable part of the Austin community. Please visit: www.swansongs.org to learn more and to get involved!
Swan Songs
Christine Albert is a committed and active community volunteer with other organizations in Austin, Texas. In addition to her work with Swan Songs, she serves on the Board of Governors of the Texas Chapter of The Recording Academy and was recently elected Trustee from Texas to represent the chapter on the organization's national Board of Governors. She has also served on the board of directors of The Austin Rape Crisis Center, SafePlace and The Texas Music Association. In 1987 she co-founded The Austin Songwriters Group, an organization that is still thriving today. Christine produced several successful concerts to raise funds for programs that support survivors of sexual assault and has made appearances at numerous events speaking on behalf of fellow survivors.
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