The SongStream Project is a San Diego-based non-profit that explores the interwoven path of music and memory, story and song. Their mission is to use music as a way to gather and share stories of everyday people. Through creating audio documentaries they aim to explore seemingly familiar themes through new lenses in order to encourage empathy and connections across communities, act as a catalyst for creative conversations that challenge stereotypes, help weave webs of relationships and encourage new music and stories to emerge.
‘Voices of Autism’ is their first documentary. It explores the role of music in the lives of four local, young musicians on the autism spectrum. By highlighting the value of music therapy and also the music and stories of these incredible young people and their equally remarkable families, ‘Voices of Autism’ seeks to move the listener beyond statistics to a space of deeper understanding, appreciation, and celebration of the gifts people with autism bring into our world and the unique role music plays in revealing their valuable voices.
April is Autism Awareness Month. If you’d like to hear more about the transformative power of music, ‘Voices of Autism’ can be listened to or downloaded here, either in full (84 mins) or in its four parts:
http://thesongstreamproject.org/index.php/shows/voices-of-autism