P.O. Box 41021  Austin, TX  78704  |  512-416-7926 (SWAN)  | info@swansongs.org  | www.swansongs.org

Swan Songs fulfills musical wishes at the end of life by organizing private concerts for individuals with a terminal illness. At their request, a favorite style of music or musician is brought directly to the home or facility. The concert allows patient, family and friends to focus beyond the illness and come together through the medium of music.

A letter from Co-Founder/Executive Director Christine Albert

Dear friends,
 
It has been a busy time here at Swan Songs central - my home office in South Austin.  Gaea Logan and I created this program in 1992 but we christened the name "Swan Songs" and became an official 501(c)(3) in November 2005.  Since that time we have steadily grown and our artists have brought great joy and comfort to many central Texas music lovers in the last days of their lives.  It has been a gratifying journey for all of us. 

Last month we took another leap of faith when the board voted to create an Executive Director position and hire me to fill that on a part-time basis.  I will continue with my own music career, but because of their confidence in me and the support they have shown, I am able to shift some of my focus and attention to Swan Songs and give it the nurturing it needs and deserves.  I am actively involved in more promotional efforts, grant applications, networking in the non-profit world, and making sure the central Texas community knows that Swan Songs exists and that we are ready and willing to fulfill musical last wishes.

In this issue you'll read about an upcoming fundraiser, some generous donations, our social networking presence, a new video and the heart of it all - some of the recent concerts we have organized. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your contributions of time, talent and funds that keep Swan Songs flying high, or at least gracefully gliding across a quiet pond.

Warmly,
Christine

Swan Songs Co-Founders Gaea Logan and Christine Albert

AseraCare and Austin Community Foundation Donations

Swan Songs was very honored to receive two generous grants this year.

Each year AseraCare Hospice donates to a local non-profit organization or agency that provides important end of life support, care or programming.  They have called on Swan Songs many times to bring music to their hospice clients and they chose us for a $500 grant this year.  The funds will go towards our programming so that we can create another special musical moment and memory for a local family.  View the video of the presentation here on our Swan Songs You Tube page. 

In honor of her mother, Karen, in Austin, created a fund at Austin Community Foundation with the intention of providing bedside music for individuals at the end of life.  Upon discovering Swan Songs, and after careful thought, research and conversations with us, she made the decision to donate the funds she had collected to Swan Songs.  Our mission is in complete alignment with Karen's vision and we are proud to make it a reality for her.

"Swan Songs - An Introduction" video

We recently created a short overview video about Swan Songs - our history, our mission, how the program works, etc.  Please share the link with friends, colleagues, family - it's an easy way to spread the word about Swan Songs. 

View the video on our website
View the video at You Tube

A recent Swan Songs moment

Every Swan Songs concert is as unique as the individual who requested it.  Whether you are an artist expressing yourself or a listener being serenaded by your favorite music, each musical experience is one of a kind.  What makes our concerts so special is when these two events converge into one powerful moment.  Telling one story illustrates what Swan Songs is all about more clearly than any mission statement ever could.

We recently had a request for a young woman in the last weeks of her life, struggling with a brain tumor.  The social worker who called told us that she likes Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, so anything similar to that would be great.  I called Ray and being the incredibly generous community activist with a heart that he is, he said yes!  She lived out in the country in a small trailer, so where to hold the concert was also an issue.  Voila!  Ray offered his studio and she was able to gather a dozen friends to enjoy Ray Benson's music with her, right there on his home turf. 

The smile says it all. 

  
photo by Carrell Grigsby
 See more photos of Swan Songs concerts at our photo gallery    

How to help and stay connected to Swan Songs

	Make A Gift By Mail Donations can be made by sending a check or money order payable to “Swan Songs” to: Christine Albert/Swan Songs PO Box 41021  Austin, Texas 78704
	Donate Online You may donate to Swan Songs via PayPal, using a credit or debit card.  Click the Donate button and you will be directed to a secure location to make your online donation.
	Randalls Good Neighbor Program Swan Songs is now a partner in the Randalls Good Neighbor Program.  For every dollar you spend at Randalls grocery stores, they will donate 1% to Swan Songs.  All you have to do is take your Randalls card to the customer service window and ask to add Swan Songs as a recipient organization to your card.  Our number is #11463 It is very important to take that with you when you sign up.  Every time you shop, you’ll be supporting the Swan Songs mission.

If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to be added to our mailing list for future updates, please email info@swansongs.org

© 2005 Christine Albert's Swan Songs Inc.  All rights reserved.
Swan Songs logo ©1999 Maggie Macnab