This cheerful, jazzy little song was a collaboration with my Storysongs songwriting students. The prompt was "What do you think of when you think of Spring, what does it mean to you?" Most people just responded with words or phrases, but John started by saying, "When I think of Spring," which became both the title and the "hook" for our song.

When I Think of Spring

This jazzy little tune was a collaboration with the students in my StorySongs songwriting group. Everyone came up with a line or two, then I put them together and added music. I liked the result so much that I ultimately recorded the tune with a jazz trio--piano, bass and drums-- at our home studio.

The words to this chant/song were written by several nurses in Mary Rockwood Lane's online Nurses Guild Community. I put their words to music and recorded this chant.

Letting the Light in, Shining (Things I Love About Summer)

This beautiful, wistful piece is a collaboration between Cathy and Virginia Roth, a student in the StorySongs group, and a wonderful poet. The two have an amazing sympatico/connection and have created many  songs together using Virginia's words and Cathy's music.

Beautiful Angels

This evocative piece was a collaboration with a group of students from the University of Florida, expressing their thoughts and feelings brought on by a bout of Florida rain.  Harmony vocals over-dubbed by Cathy.

Florida Rain

These rhythmic rhyming complaints from Peter about the "new normal" could only be accompanied by a rockin' beat. Though it has a fun-loving groove, Peter's words also brilliantly describe the longing many of us feel for the "good old days" that were actually only a few months ago.

The New Normal

These words written by John Jopling sounded like a lazy dog singing a laid back blues, so that's what we have here.
SONGWRITING TOOL: Personification--giving human qualities or voice to a non-human object or creature.

Lazy Dog Blues

A lovely descriptive piece that tells the story of Lana's grandmother and her home with poignancy and nostalgia. Visually rich and musically moving. Fond Memories.

Old Farm House

This song, inspired by a bumper sticker I saw in the late 80's, became a beloved community singalong, used by teachers in several schools and sung at numerous events, concerts and community gatherings celebrating peace, tolerance, and unity.

Dreamsong

Everybody's Somebody's Child

Arms (Are for Hugging)

Several songwriters came together in this online class to describe their favorites scene or dream location, based on a sense of place and a feeling of home. Turns out, most everyone likes it where they are! Or, where they can get to from time to time.

I Live In Paradise

These lovely words by Brenda Fedrigon lent themselves to this simple melody, a song of praise and gratitude for both God and flowers on a window sill.

You Lovingly Share

Storysongs gives people a chance to make their memories, thoughts and feelings into songs. Most of the time,  I create the melodies, rhythm and chords for their words, whether as individuals or in groups.  I really enjoy collaborating and teaching, so guiding people to create their own songs is perfect for me. An award winning songwriter myself, I also enjoy creating custom songs for special events, occasions, or just a moment in someone's life.

StorySongs Songwriting

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